Grantham, PA – Mike Kovach put through the game's only goal in the 84th minute and Messiah College held Morrisville State to just two shots in a 1-0 win on Saturday the NCAA Second Round.
 
The Falcons finished with an 18-2 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in corners, but Morrisville did their best to frustrate their hosts for much of the afternoon. Playing through the defensive-minded Mustang approach, Messiah managed to create a few dangerous opportunities early and late, but it wasn't until their corner in the 84th minute that they would get on the board.
 
Jack Thompson set-up the score with a corner serve to the near post, and Kovach chested the ball down quickly before firing past keeper Rob Larkin. Kovach and his teammates ran to their bench in celebration, with keeper Brandon West even running the full field to join in the cheer.
 
The missed save by Larkin came after he collected two impressive saves in the second-half to keep the game scoreless. The first was a kick save in the 58th minute on a shot by Jeremy Payne at the six-yard line; the second came in the 61st minute on a rip by Benji Kennel, with Larkin diving to his right for the deflection.
 
As the game continued scoreless, Messiah continued to control territory. Morrisville had one true opportunity to score as the game rounded the 80th minute, with Gilroy Alvarez punching a through ball into the box where Julian Rodriguez got behind his defender against the run of play. But West came crashing off his line to turn it away, sliding under Rodriguez and forcing it out.
 
The ensuing corner came up empty for Morrisville, and soon after the Falcons took advantage on their own corner attempt.
 
Kovach's goal was his 10th of the season, with Thompson collecting his 11th assist.
 
Morrisville fell to 16-3-1 with the loss, while Messiah to 20-0-1. The win also pushed them into the Sectional Semifinals where they will play SUNY Cortland. Location and game time are yet to be determined.