XML Box Score Grantham, PA - It may not be true redemption, but it sure felt good.
No. 1 Messiah College defeated University of Redlands 4-0 on Friday in their 2014 home opener, winning the second-ever match between the two teams.
Jeremy Payne scored twice for the Falcons while the defense allowed just two shots on frame to the Bulldogs.
The win moved the Falcons to 1-1 all-time against Redlands, with their loss coming in the 2001 NCAA Semifinal. That game was also played on Shoemaker Field, giving the Falcons' fans and alumni an extra-good feeling on this night.
The 3,000-plus fans in attendance did not have to wait long for the Falcons to get on the board, as a corner by
Brian Ramirez was headed in by Payne for a 1-0 lead in just the 6th minute. Less than two minutes later the Falcons tallied again thanks to some sloppy play by the Bulldogs' back row.
A long pass to
Mike Kovach on the right side started the action, with the Redlands defender able to keep Kovach on his back. Still, Kovach's pressure forced his opponent to play lateral to keeper Josh Haskill, who himself needed to rush his clear to avoid Payne's run to the goal; Haskill's effort went to the middle of the field where Kennel ran onto a strike into the open net.
Messiah outshot Redlands 11-3 in the first-half, with Haskill collecting five of his eight saves. In the second-half the Falcons attempted another eight shots and scored twice more.
Payne's second goal of the game—third of the season—came off a serve by
Jack Thompson from the left side. He quickly took the ball to his feet and touched past his defender for a quick strike from above the goal box.
Messiah's fourth and final goal came in the 88th minute and, similar to Kennel's goal, it started with a long play over the midfield. This time
Danny Rowe took possession on the right side and carried all the way into the box before sharply cutting past his defender and firing a shot off the far post and into the net.
The Falcons finished with a 19-6 advantage in shots and a telling 12-1 advantage in corners.
The loss dropped Redlands to 1-2 while Messiah improved to 3-0.
Messiah will turn around quickly and host Neumann University on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7:00 p.m. As they did tonight, the Falcons will look to defeat an opponent who ousted them from the NCAA Tournament in their last match-up (Neumann 1, Messiah 0 [OT] in 2011 NCAA Second Round).
