Box Score
Grantham, PA – Messiah College completed the first step of defending their five-straight Commonwealth Championships on Friday night, defeating No. 4 seed Alvernia University 3-0 on Shoemaker Field. The Falcons, ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA Top 25 Poll and seeded No. 1 in the conference tournament, received goals from
Jack Thompson,
Joshua Wood, and
Mike Kovach in the victory. Kovach added two assists to finish a four-point night.
With the win, Messiah will host No. 3 Lebanon Valley on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 2:30 p.m. LVC advances into the finale by way of a 1-0 win over No. 2 seed Elizabethtown.
The match-up between the Falcons and Crusaders was highly anticipated considering their tightly-played game during the regular season; though Alvernia lost 2-0 to the Falcons in early October, more than 80 minutes were played with Messiah leading just 1-0.
On Friday, Messiah took a similar 1-0 lead over Alvernia, but this time managed to better separate themselves from the Crusaders in the second half.
Messiah's 1-0 lead was grabbed in the 25th minute, as sophomore
Jack Thompson perfectly placed a strike from the left side of the box to the far, right side of the goal. His shot was assisted by classmate
Mike Kovach, with his cross from the right side of the field landing at Thompson's feet for the quick touch and shot.
Thompson's goal was almost followed just a moment later by
Joshua Wood, as he was played a ball from Thompson near the left post. Wood attempted to pop the ball to himself before shooting, but Alvernia keeper Ben Diller secured the ball before a firm shot could be taken.
Messiah came close a few other times in the first half—launching 14 total shots—but settled for a 1-0 lead through intermission.
In the second half, the Falcons doubled their lead in the 55th minute by way of another assist by Kovach. This time, Kovach used his hands to place a throw-in down the right sideline to Wood on his run towards the edge of the penalty box. Wood collected the ball and turn to the end line before immediately firing a shot just inside the near post.
Wood's shot came at a somewhat impossible angle, drawing both astonishment and cheer from the fans in attendance. Even Diller needed a moment to believe the shot went over him and into the net.
The goal seemed to slightly deflate Alvernia, as they seemed conservative in their attack in hopes of keeping the game close. Nevertheless, the Falcons' strong ball control and speed of play seemed to keep the Crusaders on their heels for most of the evening.
Ahead 2-0, Kovach put Messiah firmly ahead with his own goal in the 84th minute. Played a volley from the left side by Thompson, Kovach's first shot from near the right post hit off the crossbar. Kovach quickly followed up the errant attempt for the score.
In total Messiah, took 27 shots against just three for Alvernia. The Crusaders did not manage to attempt a single shot in the second half. Diller collected eight saves for Alvernia.
The loss effectively ends the season for the Crusaders, as they finish with a record of 11-7-3, including 5-4 in the Commonwealth Conference. Messiah improves to 18-0-1, and will look to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships with a win the Commonwealth Championships on Sunday.
As mentioned, the Falcons will host the Dutchmen of LVC at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4.
