Annville, PA – Jeremy Payne sent through a header in the 106th minute to send Messiah to a 1-0 win over Alvernia University on Tuesday night. The sudden-victory goal ended a long stalemate between the two teams, one which saw the Crusaders routinely place nine or 10 players in the Falcons' attacking third.
 
Brian Ramirez collected the assist on the long-awaited tally; the senior midfielder played quick on a free kick from 25 yards out, sending a loss serve toward the far right post where Payne leaped for a brilliant header past the reach of keeper Zach Rider.
 
The goal was Payne's team-leading 16th of the season, and his fifth game-winner.
 
Alvernia reacted in shock to the goal, as they perhaps expected a whistle from the center official to restart the play. But in contrast, Ramirez quickly placed the ball as the official looked on in approval.
 
Payne's goal helped the Falcons avoid a second scoreless draw in four games, though for most of the night it seemed a draw was probable. Alvernia certainly played for the tie with nine, 10, and sometimes 11 players below the ball as Messiah tried to pick apart their hosts.
 
The Falcons came close to scoring on a few other occasions, most notably on a header by Payne in the 61st minute (saved by Rider on the crossbar) and a direct kick from Bryant Myer midway through the first overtime (punched over the crossbar by Rider).
 
Alvernia also managed to create a few dangerous counters, as Josh Wollaston hit the left post in the 48th minute and Carter Robbins cleared a Crusaders' corner off the goal line in the 63rd minute.
 
Despite those chances by each team, the game was played mainly in Messiah territory. The Falcons finished with a 16-6 edge in shots, with Rider collecting an impressive nine saves. Brandon West matched as needed with five saves of his own, and he recorded his seventh shutout.
 
The Falcons moved to 16-0-1 overall, including 6-0-1 in the Commonwealth. Alvernia dropped to 9-7-2 overall and 3-3-1 in the conference.
 
Messiah wraps up the regular-season on Saturday when they travel to Arcadia University for a 4:00 start.