YORK, Pa. – The eighth-ranked York College women's lacrosse team controlled the tempo from start to finish and proved it's superiority in today's top-20 matchup as the Spartans sent 14th-ranked Messiah home with an 8-5 defeat on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Basics: 

Game Number: 3

Site: Kinsley Field – York, Pa.

Records: York (2-1) / Messiah (1-2)

Series: Messiah leads 4-3

How it happened:

• The game did not start out the way the Spartans wanted it to as the Falcons took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Stephanie Athens less than two minutes into the contest.
• The Spartans came storming back as they went on a four-goal run to take a 4-1 lead at the midway point of the first half.
• The two sides then alternated the scoring with two goals on each side as York built up a 6-3 lead.
• Kayleigh Phillips sored the final goal of the first half to give York a comfortable 7-3 lead heading into halftime.
• The Falcons started the second half much like the first as they once again tallied a goal within the first minutes of play.
• York added another goal with 17:50 left to play as Katelyn Cattrano tallied her fourth of the season.
• After the early goals to start the second half, neither team would score a goal until Messiah picked up a garbage time goal with just seconds remaining.

Spartan Leaders:

Melissa Meehling – 2 points on 2 goals, 3 ground balls, 3 caused turnovers, 1 draw control

Rachel Saks – 2 points on 1 goal and 1 assist, 1 ground ball

Katelyn Cattrano – 2 points on 2 goals

Kayleigh Phillips – 2 points on 2 goals (1-1 on FPS), 2 ground balls, 2 draw controls

Megan Strauch – 1 goal, 4 ground balls, 3 draw controls, 3 caused turnovers

Falcon Leaders:

Stephanie Athens – 3 points on 3 goals, 3 draw controls, 2 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers

Shayna Delaney – 2 points on 1 goal and 1 assist, 1 ground ball

Ida Ehrhardt – 1 goal, 4 draw controls, 2 ground balls, 1 caused turnover

Alexa Dipeso – 3 ground balls

Kathryn Milwicz – 2 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers

Goalie Comparison

Charlotte Wright (YCP) – 60:00 min, 6 saves, 5 GA, Win (2-1)

Alexa Dipeso (MC) – 60:00 min, 4 saves, 8 GA, Loss (1-2)

Game Notes:

• York now has a three-game win streak against Messiah and has won the last two meetings at home against the Falcons.
• York is 12-36 all-time against ranked opponents and 1-2 against Messiah when both teams are ranked.
• Today was the second ranked opponent for York in as many games this season and the second top-10 ranked opponent for Messiah this season.
• Today's matchup featured top-end defensive talent as York has returning All-American defender Megan Strauch and Messiah's roster boasts returning All-American goalie Alexa Dipeso and the reigning MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Year in Brooke Gamble.
• The Spartans managed to score eight goals, which is significant because Alexa Dipeso entered today's contest allowing just 7.00 goals per game this season and had a 7.72 GAA last season.
• Charlotte Wright held the Falcons under their 9.67 goals per game average and improves her GAA to 6.67.

What's Next:

York returns to action on Saturday in a non-conference contest on the road against Haverford College at 1:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Joe Rodgers