XML Box Score Williamsport, PA – Messiah College made quick work of the Lycoming College Warriors on Tuesday to stay unbeaten in the Commonwealth Conference at 6-0.
Brian Ramirez and
Jeremy Payne each scored in the opening 11 minutes as the Falcons won 2-1 and also improved their record to 15-1 overall.
Brian Ramirez put the Falcons on top in just the sixth minute with an open shot past keeper Connor Keenan from just inside the top of the 18-yard line. Ramirez beat one defender before shooting after a pair of other Warrior midfielders seemed to look away from Ramirez in expectation of him pushing a pass to a teammate. The goal was his third of the season.
Messiah didn't wait long to build on their early advantage, with
Jeremy Payne netting his 11th goal of the season in the 11th minute of play. The Falcons' midfielder took a through ball from
Drew Frey as he crossed into the box and put a one-touch shot off the hands of Keenan to the right side of the net.
Though in total control the Falcons did not score again in the first-half; Messiah entered the break with a 12-0 advantage in shots with Keenan collecting four saves.
Messiah collected six more shots in the second-half but couldn't take advantage to build their lead. Specifically, the Falcons created a handful of dangerous opportunities off their three second-half corner kicks, but still were kept to a two-goal lead.
Thankfully for the Falcons, their defense continued to limit the Warriors opportunities to crawl back. The Warriors' only three shots of the game came in the final minutes. Their final shot by Myles Gortva in the final minute went for a goal.
Joshua Wood nearly earned the goal back for the Falcons seconds later but saw a shot in the box against the run of play trickle inches wide of the left post before the clock ran out.
The loss drops Lycoming to 7-6-2 overall and 2-3-1 in the conference.
Messiah will next play at Widener University on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 8:00 p.m.
