Squad Opens 2008 Campaign With Tough Loss To #19 Haverford
Posted: 2/27/2008
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Messiah battled both the elements and #19 Haverford Wednesday afternoon.

Radnor, PA — The Messiah College men’s lacrosse team opened its 2008 season Wednesday afternoon against 19th-ranked Haverford College, falling by a 6-19 score to the host Fords.

Messiah (0-1) got behind by a 3-0 count before senior Nick Ricucci scored one of his career-high five goals, though his initial tally off an assist from classmate Tim Sandusky was only a brief reprieve from what would come: Haverford (1-0) rattled off the next eight goals of the contest, claiming a 11-1 lead with 9:29 to play before halftime and never looking back.

“This was a very disappointing loss for us today,” said Geof Weisenborn, Messiah head coach. “We expected to play at a much higher level. Haverford is a very disciplined lacrosse team that executed very well today. We made too many mistakes to compete with a team of their caliber.”

The Falcons did put together a reasonable push during the end of the second quarter and nearly all of the third, scoring five straight goals during that stretch to pull within an 11-6 difference. Ricucci scored four of those five tallies — two coming off individual play while Sandusky assisted the other pair — while junior Hamilton Anderson collected as well.

Hoping to mount a furious comeback in the final stanza, Messiah’s efforts fell flat. Haverford scored the first of eight fourth-quarter goals just 1:45 into the period, running away with things late.

Senior Ted Oberg finished with 10 saves to lead the Falcons’ defensive effort. Junior Greg Latimer came on in relief to play just 4:11. Messiah was out-shot by the Fords 42-22, while picking up 33 ground balls to Haverford’s 40.

“We need to get back on the field tomorrow and get better in all aspects of the game,” Weisenborn said.

Messiah’s tasks get no easier, as the team will next travel to perennial power Villa Julie College on Saturday. Game time is set for 3 p.m.