XML Box Score Salisbury, MD – No. 4 Messiah College scored three goals in the first-half and limited No. 15 Salisbury University to just three shots on goal to win 3-0 in a physical Second Round game of the NCAA Championships Tournament. The win moves Messiah into the Sectional Semifinals for the 15th time in the past 16 seasons.
The Falcons and Sea Gulls were playing for the first time since Messiah earned a 1-0 win over Salisbury in the 2004 National Semifinal; in 2003, Salisbury eliminated the Falcons in a penalty kick shootout on the Sea Gulls' home field. On Sunday, a shootout would not be necessary as Messiah overcame early pressure from Salisbury and capitalized on their own scoring opportunities.
Joshua Wood put Messiah up 1-0 in the 25th minute after
Mike Kovach placed a shot past keeper Drew Staedeli from the right side. Wood ran onto the shot to punch it through on the open net for his 20th goal of the season.
The goal for Messiah came just five minutes after Staedeli made a tremendous save on an offering from Wood that, at the time, kept the game scoreless.
Less than seven minutes later
Jack Thompson was pulled down in the box after making a series of quick moves to get by his defender on the left side. The foul set
Brian Ramirez up for a penalty kick that he promptly put into the back of the net for a 2-0 Messiah lead.
Down by two tallies, Salisbury continued to grab and claw at every opportunity to keep the Falcons' from getting more looks at the goal. Messiah continued to play with poise and speed and, in the 35th minute, earned their third goal of the game on a brilliant, back-heel assist from Wood to
Danny Brandt. Wood's pass came after he was posted up in the box and doubled by the Sea Gulls' defense.
Messiah went through the half with an 11-5 advantage on shots and the 3-0 lead.
At the start of the second-half Salisbury almost earned back a goal on a shot by Elliott Crompton, but West made a diving save on the line to protect the score. Soon after the Falcons almost found a fourth goal off a cross from
Josh Kremers to the back post that Wood headed over the crossbar.
The Falcons continued to keep the pressure on Salisbury but also needed to play end-to-end with their hosts to protect their advantage. The Sea Gulls attempted nine shots in the half, but only two went on frame and were snared by West.
At the end Messiah finished with a 21-14 edge in shots and a 7-3 advantage in corners.
The loss for Salisbury ends their season at 18-4 while Messiah moves to 20-1-1. The Falcons advance to face Kenyon College in the Sectional Semifinals next weekend. The Lords punched their ticket to the match with a 2-1 win over No. 8 Wheaton College.
Click on gallery for higher resolution. All photos courtesy of Salisbury University Athletics.
