LYCOMING MEN’S LACROSSE SCORES TWICE IN FINAL MINUTE TO DOWN MESSIAH

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s lacrosse team scored two goals in the final minute of the game to complete a come-from-behind victory over visiting Messiah College. The Warriors scored the tying goal with 50 seconds showing on the clock and the game-winning goal with 20 second to play to claim the thrilling 15-14 win. Lycoming improves to 6-2 overall and 3-0 within the Middle Atlantic Conference. The Falcons fall to 4-3 and 2-1.

Messiah jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the first quarter before the Warriors responded with a pair of goals of their own. The second quarter was just as tight, with both teams trading leads until Messiah carried an 8-7 advantage into the locker room.

Lycoming tied the game at eight with the first goal of the second half, but the Falcons scored the next three goals to open up the largest lead of the game. The Warriors again fought back, eventually tying the game at 13 with four-and-a-half minutes to play. As the tension began to build, Messiah scored a go-ahead goal with just over three minutes to play. As the clock entered the final minute, the Lycoming offense rose to the occasion as freshman Dan Wilcox (Corning, NY; Corning-Painted Post East) scored a goal off a rebound to knot the game at 14.

All-American senior Mark Barnes (Elmira, NY; Corning-Painted Post East) then won a huge face off for the Warriors and started the offense. Fellow senior Mike Bonnes (Ridley Park; Ridley Senior) finished the play, beating the Falcons’ goalie with just 20 ticks remaining.

Freshman Sang Duong (Havertown; Haverford Township) led the team with six goals and two assists on the afternoon. Bonnes added four goals and Wilcox chipped in two.

Messiah was led by Kevin Dennstaedt with five goals and an assist. Reed Horanburg and Connor Pett each added three goals for the Flacons.

In goal, Jared Jankowski (Sr./Boonton, NJ; Boonton) played 58 minutes and made 16 saves for Lycoming. Justin Moe made 19 saves for Messiah.

“Messiah is a great team. Both Messiah and Lycoming started lacrosse and entered the NCAA in the same year and now they are two of the best teams in the MAC,” said Lycoming head coach Gene Peluso.  “I’m proud of the way we fought back today, that’s what good teams need to be able to do.

“This was a great win for our program, but there is no rest for the weary. Now we have to get ready for five-time and defending MAC champion Widener on Saturday.”

COLLEGIATE MEN’S LACROSSE
Messiah 14, Lycoming 15

Teams                    1                2                3                4                Total
Messiah                 2                6                4                2                14
Lycoming                2                5                2                6                15

Goals:
Lycoming – Sang Duong 6, Mike Bonnes 4, Dan Wilcox 2, Todd Brysiak, Dave Dormond, Chris Rausch
Messiah – Kevin Dennstaedt 5, Reed Horanburg 3, Connor Pett 3, Jason Weisenborn 2, Dan Videon

Assists:
Lycoming – Mark Barnes 2, Sang Duong 2, Mike Bonnes
Messiah – Jason Weisenborn 2, Dann Gahres, Connor Pett, Dan Videon, Kevin Dennstaedt

Saves:
Lycoming – Jared Jankowski (58 min.) 16 saves, 13 GA; Sean Powers (2 min.) 1 save, 1 GA
Messiah – Justin Moe (60 min.) 19 saves, 15 GA