GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Arcadia University men's lacrosse team dropped its final nonconference game of the regular season, falling 16–5 to Messiah University on Saturday afternoon. The Knights move to 6–4 on the season.
Alex Greenberg and Sean Perkinson each scored twice to lead the Arcadia offense, while Gavin Lenart added a goal. Messiah held advantages in shots (50–31) and shots on goal (30–16), and committed fewer turnovers (20–26). The Falcons also edged the Knights in ground balls, 48–39.
Arcadia found success at the faceoff X, winning 16 of 25 attempts. Colin Brockman led the effort, going 14-for-18 with a game-high eight ground balls. Defensively, Lenart, Alden Cathey, Tristan Johnson, and Joey Ewald each recorded a caused turnover.
Nate Hudgins started in goal and made seven saves in the first half while allowing 10 goals. Joseph Tesler entered in the third quarter and finished with seven saves while conceding five goals. Marco D'Alicandro saw time in the fourth quarter, allowing one goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Messiah opened the scoring after forcing a turnover on Arcadia's first possession and converting on its initial offensive opportunity. The Falcons added five more goals in the first quarter while holding the Knights scoreless, despite a strong chance from AJ Laibach that hit the post.
• Arcadia struck early in the second quarter, as Brockman won the opening faceoff. Gavin Lenart collected the ground ball and connected with Dylan Garber, who found Greenberg for a goal just 30 seconds into the quarter to make it 6–1.
• Following a defensive stop and successful clear, Lenart scored off an assist from Jack Keenan to cut the deficit to 6–2.
• Messiah responded with three goals to extend its lead before Hudgins came up with a key save late in the half. Arcadia capitalized shortly after, as Perkinson scored with under two minutes remaining to make it 9–3.
• The Falcons added one more goal before halftime to take a 10–3 lead.
• In the third quarter, Arcadia again scored first. After forcing a turnover, Will Kazmierski picked up the ground ball and, following a clear, Perkinson netted his second goal of the game off an assist from Laibach to trim the deficit to 10–4.
• Messiah answered with four consecutive goals before Greenberg added his second of the game late in the quarter, making it 14–5.
• The Knights were held scoreless in the fourth quarter, while Messiah added two insurance goals to secure the 16–5 victory.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Goals: Perkinson (2), Greenberg (2), Lenart (1)
Assists: Keenan (1), Garber (1), Laibach (1)
Points: Perkinson (2), Greenberg (2), Multiple (1)
Shots: Greenberg (7), Reilly Robichaud (7), Johnson (4)
Ground Balls: Brockman (8), Kazmierski (4), Keenan (3)
Caused Turnovers: Johnson (1), Lenart (1), Cathey (1), Ewald (1)
Saves: Hudgins (7), Tesler (7)
UP NEXT
The Knights continue their road trip on Wednesday as they open MAC Freedom play at Delaware Valley. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m.
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