Annville, PA – Messiah College scored three unanswered goals to turn a 0-1 deficit into a 3-1 lead en route to a 3-2 win over Lebanon Valley on Saturday afternoon. The win improved the Falcons to 13-0 overall and 3-0 in the Commonwealth Conference.
 
The Falcons were behind less than four minutes into the game after Tyler Skye gave the Dutchmen a quick lead. Messiah turned the ball over the midfield to set up the opportunity as Skye attacked down the fight flank, cut in on the endline, and sent a hard cross to the middle of the box. Keeper Brandon West made a dive to grab the serve, but the ball bounded off his hands and over the goal line.
 
Despite the early hole, No. 1 Messiah fought back and soon found the equalizer. In the 14th minute Jack Thompson was played quickly in the box and just as quickly flicked to Danny Brandt for an impressive shot spun over keeper Cam Avery and into the goal.
 
The goal was Brandt's second in as many games and sixth overall.
 
Twenty minutes later the Falcons added a second goal to go in front. Attacking three-on-two, Brian Ramirez played Raul Serrano on the right side, and Serrano slotted a shot past Avery.
 
"We responded well to their early goal," Messiah head coach Brad McCarty said. "We didn't give up, we kept playing. We got the lead back and we didn't it give it up."
 
Messiah increased their lead to 3-1 in the 62nd, with Ramirez collecting another assist. This time the Falcons played quickly off a free kick, with Ramirez crossing quickly into the box where Jeremy Payne collected and shot past Avery.
 
The goal proved huge considering Kyle Fronk earned one back for the Dutchmen in the 74th minute. Bradley Mehl collected an assist on the play, as Fronk punched through his free kick into the box.
 
Lebanon Valley had two solid chances at tying the game in the final minutes, including a shot by Matt Prince that West saved.
 
"LVC played really well," McCarty said, commenting on the Dutchmen's play. "They were well-prepared and ready for us. This was their Homecoming Day, and the game was emotional.
 
"It was disappointing for us to give up two goals, and not score the last goal, but our rhythm was there at times. We worked hard to get the win."
 
The loss dropped Lebanon Valley to 5-6-1 on the season, including 1-1 in the Commonwealth. As mentioned, Messiah improved to 13-0 (3-0).
 
The Falcons will next play when they travel to play Stevenson University on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.