Box Score
Harrisonburg, VA — At long last, a supply of Pepto Bismol was not needed along the Falcons' sideline.
Messiah scored early and pounded out 26 total shots at Eastern Mennonite University Wednesday night, earning a 3-0 win in what was — comparatively speaking — a relaxing brand of soccer.
After having to come from behind to win four of its last five games, Messiah (8-1) utilized a dominant possession game and a bit of luck to post its third shut out win of the season, and eighth straight victory overall.
“One of the things I asked for during our pre-game meeting was an early goal,” said Messiah head coach Brad McCarty. “I also asked for our second group to get us a goal. Tonight, we were able to do both, and that was important for us.”
McCarty's first request was answered just 4:30 into play, when junior Derek Black collected the ball on the left side of the field and carried it toward the middle of the pitch, finding senior Geoff Pezon inside the Royals' 18-yard box.
Pezon finished first time with his left foot, beating EMU keeper Ryan Baker for his fourth goal of the season.
Playing on a wet and slippery EMU Turf Field thanks to the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole, Messiah weathered what would be EMU's best possession over the game's next 10 minutes. The Royals' Bryce Shank leaked into the Falcons' 18-yard box unmarked in the 14th minute, and ripped a shot that beat sophomore Jake Berry to the far post.
Fortunately for McCarty and company, Shank's shot sailed just wide, and the score remained 1-0.
“(Shank's shot) looked good,” McCarty said. “He had our keeper beat and narrowly missed. I thought, in the first 15 minutes, EMU made it hard on us. They did a good job of pressuring us and limited our chances. But after the first 15 minutes, I thought we settled down and showed the patience to find open players. We started to win the territory battle, and begin to maintain possession in the attacking third.”
That possession was awarded with another score just 10 minutes before halftime, when junior Kent Ramirez took a corner kick from the left flag. Ramirez's serve was popped back out by the Royals' defense, but the San Cristobal, Guatemala native collected the rebound and took a couple touches toward the EMU frame.
After a bit of a melee, Ramirez fired a hard shot that beat Baker to the near post, giving the Falcons a 2-0 lead that would last through the half.
Early in the second period, Messiah would continue to pile on.
Following an EMU foul some 25 yards away from the Royals' frame, senior Nick Thompson lined up to take the free kick. With the hosts trying to set up their defense, Thompson passed the ball into an open goal — the ball deflecting ever so slightly off one of the EMU players making up the wall.
As the ball settled into the net, all 22 players on the field — and those standing on the sideline — looked to the center official for clarification.
He raised and crossed his hands. Thompson had scored his sixth goal of the year with just over 38 minutes to play.
Messiah — ranked 10th in the latest NSCAA/Adidas Top 25 Poll and fifth in the most recent D3soccer.com ballot — would go on to outshoot EMU (2-8-1) by a 26-5 count, tallying nine corner kicks to the hosts' one. The Falcons nearly had their latest shut out ruined just seconds after Thompson's score, however, as Berry was whistled for a foul inside the box, giving EMU a penalty kick with 52:42 elapsed.
The Royals' Mitchell Leap banged his PK attempt off the post, however, and Berry was able to pounce on the rebound to keep the slate clean.
“I thought EMU played hard,” McCarty said. “They never quit. The result could've been closer.”
It also could have been more lopsided, as Baker finished with 11 saves in the EMU goal — several of which were outstanding. Pezon paced Messiah's offensive efforts (posting seven total shots and four on goal), while Thompson tallied four shots and younger brother Danny Thompson three.
The Falcons will open Commonwealth Conference play next, making a trip to Lebanon Valley College Saturday. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
