Grantham, Pa. - (3/23/2022) - A 5-2 third-quarter spread proved to be the difference in tonight contest as Messiah University (4-4) separated from a narrow 6-5 halftime lead to defeat Gwynedd Mercy University (2-4) by a 13-9 final margin. The Griffins scored the first two goals of the affair with sophomore midfielder GianLuca Lockhart (Turnersville, N.J.) (1-0, 14:50) and freshman midfielder Richie Hughes (Turversville, N.J.) (2-0, 11:38) scored the first goals of the game, but Gwynedd Mercy University lost their two-goal advantage by the end of the first quarter as the Falcons recorded the last two scores (3:32, 1:16) of the opening period; 3-3. Messiah University's momentum carried into the second quarter, where their opening three-goal run (14:18, 7:54, 7:04) was enough keep them in the lead after closing tallies from sophomore midfielder Tyler Long (Downingtown, Pa.) (4:54) and sophomore attack Jason Eide (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) (0:21); 6-5. The unfortunate third quarter saw the Falcons score three goals on either side of a connection between Eide sophomore midfielder Nick Flamma (Sewell, N.J.) (9-7, 6:41). The teams traded goals twice in the fourth quarter, leaving the home team to the four-goal win.

Lockhart (3 goals, assist) and Eide (goal, 3 assists) each recorded four points; the former added six ground balls and two caused turnovers to his offensive production. Long totaled three points (2 goals, assist) and a ground ball, while Hughes added a ground ball to his two scores. In goal, senior goalkeeper Aubron Swartley (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) took the loss (2-3) despite nine saves and a ground ball.

Gwynedd Mercy University begins a three-game home stand on Saturday, March 26, with a 1:00 p.m. contest versus Arcadia University.