Grantham, Pa - The Messiah men's lacrosse team came back from an early deficit to win against Gwynedd Mercy 13-9 late on a rainy Wednesday night. Owen Joyce and RJ Mellor each tallied three goals in the game.
 
The Falcons will travel to Reading, Pa to take on Albright College for their first conference game of the season. That game is March 30, at 4:00 PM. 
 
First Half
Gwynedd Mercy jumped out to a 3-1 lead ten minutes into the game, with the goal from the Falcons coming from Seth Libby. After goals from Owen Joyce and RJ Mellor, the score was tied at 3-3 at the end of the first quarter. 
 
Messiah picked up where they left off in the second, adding three more goals courtesy of Nathan Branson, RJ Mellor and Owen Joyce to increase the lead to 6-3 with seven to go in the half. The Griffins tacked on two goals before the half to cut the deficit to one at the half. The Falcons would lead 6-5 at the break. 
 
Second Half
A Griffin goal evened the score early in the third quarter, but it was all Messiah from that point on. Back-to-back goals from Sam Stone followed by a goal from Aaron Shaw stretched the lead to 9-6 with seven to go in the third quarter. After a Gwynedd Mercy goal, Seth Libby and Nathan Branson scored to increase the lead to 11-7 heading into the fourth quarter. 
 
RJ Mellor found the back of net again for his third goal on the day early in the fourth to make the lead five at 12-7. Messiah would go on to win the game 13-9 after Joyce's third goal of the game with a little over a minute remaining. 
 
Stats
As mentioned, Joyce and Mellor each had three goals on the night, with Branson, Libby and Stone tacking on two goals each. Frank Honey led the team in ground balls with nine while Joyce had six. Libby and Ryan Fascetta each had five ground balls as well. Fascetta also caused three turnovers. Aidan Hickey made eight saves during the game.
 
Next
The win brings the Falcons record to 4-4 and will travel to Albright on March 30, at 4:00 PM for their first conference game of the season.