XML Box Score Grantham, PA - Just four days after losing for the first time in 2013, Messiah College bounced back in convincing fashion with a 3-0 shutout of Misericordia University. The Falcons scored twice in the first-half and once afterward in support of another strong defensive effort.
The shutout—Messiah's third of the season—nearly ended in just the third minute as a shot from Nick vonEgypt went barely high of the crossbar. Though a dangerous attempt, it accounted for half of the Cougars' first-half shots as the Falcons quickly settled in and started to hold territory.
The Falcons' possession in their attacking third slowly exhausted their visitors, and finally broke through for a score in the 20th minute.
Joshua Wood would do the honors for the Falcons, with his shot coming off a perfectly slotted pass from Jack Thompason on the right wing. Wood managed to keep his defender on his back on his run to the right side of the box as keeper Barry Fitzgerald raced off his line in an attempt to beat Wood to the ball. Wood barely beat Fitzgerald in time for a quick, twisting strike that went on the ground and over the goal line.
The goal was Wood's team-leading eighth of the season and put the Falcons up 1-0. The score also seemed to turn the light on for Messiah, as they spent the next six minutes collecting four more shots, including an attempt from
Jeremy Payne from just 10 yards that bounded off the crossbar.
Nevertheless, the Falcons' furious pressure soon produced a second goal, and again it came from the right side. This time, in the 27th minute,
Mike Kovach fed Payne on a run into the box. Payne took the ball to his feet with his back to the goal and eluded one defender before cutting to the middle. Payne touched further middle past another defender before quickly placing a perfect shot inside the far post with his left foot.
For Payne, the goal was his fifth of the season while Thompson collected his team-leading fifth assist.
The Falcons carried both their lead and their sharp play into the second-half. Wood came close to picking up another goal in the 49th minute only to see Fitzgerald dive to the post for one his seven saves on the night. He would add another impressive grab in the 59th minute on a shot by
Mike Kovach as the winger was attacking the goal against the run of play.
As Messiah's offense continued to attack, the Falcons' defense continued to limit the Cougars' opportunities to cut the deficit.
Brandon West made one save for the Falcons before his teammates broke the game open with another score.
Messiah's drive for a third goal started harmlessly; the Falcons' back row gathered a long clear from the Cougars in the 61st minute and moved to switch sides of the field. After settling the ball within his defensive third,
Carter Robbins looked up field and sent a long volley over the midfield.
Danny Brandt outran the Cougars' defense and chased down the volley above the 18-yard line where he flicked a shot over Fitzgerald and under the crossbar. The goal was his third of the season sent the 3,000-plus fans in attendance into a loud cheer.
In the final minutes,
Aaron Hennigan provided two saves in relief of West, including a sliding save in a one-on-one situation with vonEgypt to preserve the shutout.
In total, the Falcons took 19 shots—10 on frame—while holding the Cougars to just six shots. Messiah also attempted all 10 of game's corner kicks.
The loss drops Misericordia to 6-3 while Messiah moves to 9-1. The Falcons will be off for a full week before hosting Lebanon Valley College on Oct. 5 in the first game of the Commonwealth schedule. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
