XML Box Score Glassboro, NJ - Messiah men's soccer won for the second time in as many days this weekend behind a dominating performance from endline to endline over Rowan University. The Falcons scored three times on 24 shots while allowing just five total shots—none on frame—to the Owls
. Danny Brandt followed up his game-winner last night with Saturday's first goal in the 15th minute.
Jack Thompson doubled the Messiah lead less than four minutes later and, less than 10 minutes into the second-half,
Jeremy Payne put Messiah up 3-0.
"It was good for us to see a team that pressured and played us straight-up," head coach
Brad McCarty said, commenting on Rowan's approach. "Our possession and pace created plenty of chances, but Rowan did a good job of countering. They're a good team."
Fifteen minutes into the game Thompson set up the Falcons' first goal as he cut in on the endline before finding Payne in the box for a quick strike. His shot was saved by Rowan keeper Kevin Vasta, but Brandt calmly settled the deflection and sent it home for the score. It was already the Falcons' fifth shot as they would attempt three more in the next four minutes.
The last of those attempts would come from Thompson. The senior winger beat the defense down the left side and then cut middle to to get into the box and beat Vasta with his right foot for his first goal of the season.
Altogether in the first-half Messiah launched 12 shots and allowed just two to Rowan. Vasta did his best to keep the game close as he collected four saves before the intermission.
Nevertheless, Messiah's pace proved too much. In the 55th minute
Benji Kennel was found inside the 18 from Thompson and deftly rolled a pass behind himself to Payne on the left side of the box for a quick touch past Vasta into the net. Like Thompson, it was his first goal of the year.
Messiah totaled another 12 shots in the second-half and finished the game without allowing a single attempt by the Owls to go on frame. They also out-cornered their hosts 8-1.
Vasta finished with seven saves for Rowan (0-2) while
Brandon West was unchallenged in his first shutout of the year. Twenty-four players appeared in the game for the Falcons compared to just 16 for the Owls.
"We played nine different backs tonight, and our defense played well," McCarty said. "Our guys had to earn this shutout against a good team, and it was nice to get one after giving up a goal last night."
Brandt, Payne, and
Brian Ramirez were named to the Gilmore All-Tournament Team, with Payne taking home MVP honors. The senior collected goal and two assists across the weekend.
The win pushed No. 1 Messiah to 2-0 this season. The Falcons will next play on Friday, Sept. 5 when they host University of Redlands at 7:00 p.m. The Falcons' home opener will be streamed live on
GoMessiah.tv.
