WILKES-BARRE, PA (MARCH 1, 2023) --- The Kings's College men's lacrosse team returned home for the first time in the new season, falling to visiting Messiah University 18-7 on Wednesday at McCarthy Stadium. With the loss, King's falls to 0-3, while Messiah improves to 3-1.
 
Messiah (3-1) started quickly, tallying the first nine goals of the contest, taking a 7-0 lead into the second quarter. The Falcons scored the first two goals in the second quarter, moving in front 9-0 with 11:04 to play. King's (0-3) got on the board just under a minute later, as first-year Ryan Lynch got the Monarchs on the board at 10:12, making it a 9-1 game. Messiah tallied the next three goals, to take a 12-1 lead, before two quick goals late in the half for King's. Sophomore Ben Spencer scored at 1:07, before Lynch tallied his second goal just 13 seconds later, cutting the deficit to 12-3 at the half.
 
The Monarchs started the second half quickly, tallying the first two goals, as Spencer connected on his second tally of the game, before sophomore EJ Schreiner scored at 11:51, making it a 12-5 game. Messiah scored the next four goals, to move the lead back to 11, leading 16-5. The teams traded two goals over the final seven and a half minutes, as Spencer and Lynch both completed their hat tricks, as King's fell 18-7.
 
Senior Matt Wall got the start in the cage, finishing with 14 saves in the three quarters of action, before being replaced by first-year Ryan Rickards who finished with three saves. Offensively, the Monarchs were led by Spencer, Lynch, and Schreiner who all recorded three points, three goals apiece for Spencer and Lynch, and a goal and two assists for Schreiner. King's won nine of 29 face-offs, led by junior Geno Casciello who won eight of 25. The Monarchs caused six turnovers, led by junior Ryan Barnes who forced two, while King's went 1-5 while a man up, and not taking any penalties.
 
Josh Grove got the start in goal, stopping six shots, before being replaced at halftime by Aidan Hickey, who made one save. Messiah had three players tally five points, led by Ben Ferrell who recorded four goals and one assist, while Chad Teresky and Dean Gillette both added two goals and three assists. The Falcons won 20 of 29 face-offs, while going 4-5 on man-down situations, causing 14 Monarch turnovers.
 
King's has a week off, before hitting the road for a quick one game trip, as the Monarchs head to Frederick, MD to take on Hood College on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.