Box Score
By Matt McDermott, GoMessiah.com student manager
Grantham, PA — The cardiac kids got hearts pumping again.
But this time in a healthy way.
With nearly 4,000 in attendance at Saturday's Homecoming finale at Shoemaker Field, Messiah continued to bring its 'A-Game,' scoring four second-half goals in a 5-0 rout over Commonwealth Conference opponent Widener University.
The first half was a grind between Widener (4-9-2, 0-3-1) and the Falcons, especially in the first 25 minutes. When Messiah pushed, the Pride pushed back, as the battle in the midfield proved to be key all game.
“Widener came out with great pressure,” said Brad McCarty, Messiah head coach. “They were physical and pressured us in the midfield to try and get us out of rhythm. They disrupted our possession a little bit but when we broke pressure, our speed of play allowed us to create great chances. We just had to be patient.”
Nearing the 15 minute mark, junior Derek Black embodied that speed of play, especially with his play on the wing. On the left side, Black beat his defender nearing the end line, but another Pride defender stepped to Black, toe-poking the ball out for a throw in.
With a big throw, Black sailed the ball into the box where classmate Danny Thompson flicked the it further into the box. Senior Geoff Pezon was there to meet the ball in the air, heading the ball down and past Widener keeper Ryan Frantz for his sixth goal on the year.
“It is great to work with an early lead,” McCarty said. “We got the first one but the rest of the first half wasn't as sharp as I would have liked it to be. We had our chances (those seen with 12 shots) but we didn't finish them (only five of those shots were on goal).”
Physicality marked the first period of play, for both teams. In total, 11 fouls were called in the first half, en route to 17 on the night.
That physical play became a factor for Messiah (12-1, 3-0) to exploit in the second half.
“Widener got worn down from the first half, which played into our style of play,” McCarty said. “We were fresher and it was harder for them to maintain their pressure in the midfield. We created a lot of momentum in the second half.”
That momentum started to roll just before the 61st minute. Black made a great cross to the far side of the field where a the ball eventually met the foot of Danny Thompson, burying a low cross into the right post for his third goal of the year.
“That goal helped us because we were subbing soon and the second group got some energy from that play,” McCarty said. “(The second group) didn't play their best in the first half, but their quality got a lot better as the game went on.”
Sophomore Dan Squire felt that energy and put his mark on the game as well. His first play was a great assist to freshman Sheldon Myer, who made a great run off Squire into space, allowing him to score his fourth goal of the year at the 77:30 mark.
His second play — just 90 seconds after — was his second goal of the season, a quality effort off a cross from freshman Aaron Myers.
But with time winding down, the physical nature increased visibly as a few altercations between the squads drew foul calls, and eventually two yellow cards toward the Pride.
One altercation would produce a free-kick finish that would make David Beckham jealous.
With under a minute to play, senior Nick Thompson made a great run from the middle of the field into the attacking third. But as he was just about to enter the 18-yard box, he was tripped up by a Widener defender, and being unable to maintain balance, Thompson went to the ground, drawing a free kick, mere feet outside the 18-yard line.
The final nail in the coffin was a quick but accurate free kick, with curve that bent past the six Pride defenders on the wall and perfectly placed in the upper 90 of the right side of the goal.
In celebration, Thompson grabbed the lower half of his jersey, displaying the Messiah written across his chest to all the spectators who were jumping in the stands.
“It was well struck,” McCarty said, simply putting the effort of his leading goal-scorer.
With four games left to play in the regular season, McCarty said he likes the way his team is playing.
“One thing we strive for is momentum on both sides of the ball,” McCarty said. “It is important for us to be playing as we are at this time of the year. It was another shut out for our defense. They continue to be strong for us in the back, connecting passing well. Now, it is a matter of executing and keeping our rhythm. We have a good rotation with the guys who are playing and that develops confidence for who we are.”
Messiah will travel to Alvernia University Wednesday, looking to keep momentum and their perfect Commonwealth Conference record in hand.
Game time is set for 7 p.m.
