GRANTHAM, PA. – The Messiah University men's lacrosse team held off a late rally from the Hood College Blazers to win their 2024 MAC Commonwealth opener, 14-12 on Saturday afternoon. After the Blazers jumped to a 3-1 lead in the first quarter, the Falcons responded with five straight goals to close the first quarter up, 6-3. The scoring slowed down in the second quarter with the Falcons outscoring the Blazers 2-1 to take an 8-4 lead into the half. The Blazers outscored the Falcons 4-3 in both the third and fourth quarter, but timely goals from the Falcons allowed them to hold off the Blazers and win 14-12. Bobby Berg led the Falcons with six points on four goals and two assists. Chad Teresky totaled five points on four goals and an assist.

Up next, the Falcons travel to St. Davids, Pa. to take on the Eastern University Eagles on Wednesday, April 10 at 4:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Falcons opened the game strong with a goal from Jesse Lynch in the first minute to give the Falcons an early lead. The Blazers though responded with three straight goals to give Hood a 3-1 lead with 6:44 remaining in the first quarter. The Falcons then rattled off five unanswered goals to end the quarter with three from Bobby Berg and two from Seth Libby to give the Falcons a 6-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons scored first in the second with a goal from Chad Teresky as the shot clock was expiring to push the Messiah led to four with 11:23 remaining in the half. After some great defense from both sides, Hood broke the scoreless drought with a goal to reduce the Falcons lead back to three with 4:41 remaining in the quarter. The Falcons went into the break with some momentum after a Mike McKnelly goal from Owen Hammel to give the Falcons a 8-4 lead at the half.
 
Third Quarter
The Blazers though opened the third with a goal, but the Falcons answered back with a goal from Mike McKnelly by Bobby Berg to put the Falcons up 9-5 with 13:10 remaining in the third. After the Blazers answered with a goal a minute later, the Falcons used up some time and then Chad Teresky scored a man-up goal to push the Falcons lead back to four with 8:55 remaining in the quarter. The Blazers closed the quarter outscoring the Falcons 2-1, with the Falcons goal coming from Chad Teresky and the Falcons led 11-8 heading into the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Blazers opened the fourth quarter with two straight goals to reduce the Falcons lead to one with 8:58 remaining in the game. With the momentum on the Blazers side, the Falcons got a big goal from Chad Teresky to push the Falcons lead to two with 6:32 remaining. Just a minute later, Bobby Berg tallied another goal for the Falcons giving the Falcons a 13-10 lead. The Blazers scored two goals in the final three minutes, but a goal from Jesse Lynch with 2:08 remaining sealed the 14-12 win for the Falcons.
 
Stats
Bobby Berg led the Falcons with six points on four goals and two assists and added seven ground balls. Chad Teresky totaled five points on four goals and an assist and also added five ground balls. Seth Libby added three points on two goals and an assist. Mike McKnelly and Jesse Lynch each scored two goals. Walker Penchansky, Grant Peffall, and Tristan Lynch each led the Falcons defense with two caused turnovers. Ben Antel went 12-of-24 from the faceoff X and scooped up a game high eight ground balls. Jourdain Algarin earned the win in the cage for the Falcons and recorded 11 saves. Josh Grove also earned time in net and made two saves.
 
Next
The Falcons travel to St. Davids, Pa. to take on the Eastern University Eagles on Wednesday, April 10 at 4:00 p.m.