Grantham, PA -
David Alejos made a brilliant header to collect an assist on a game-winner by
Benji Kennel and Messiah College won 1-0 in overtime against Washington & Lee. Alejos' diving header came at the far post after a long cross from
Jacob Bender from the right side, with his redirection going back across the goal and to the foot of Kenne. Kennel's quick touch bounced off the reach of Gillen Beck and went into the net for the lone tally of the night.
The score set off a huge celebration from from the Falcons while the Generals stood in disbelief. Even still, the win seemed more than appropriate considering the Falcons strong play throughout the evening. Messiah finished with a 19-7 edge in shots, and they didn't allow even a single corner to the visitors. Even still, it took the overtime session to get one past Beck. He finished with eight saves for the Generals, and was a main factor in keeping the stalemate through the first 90 minutes.
Messiah came close to ending the game earlier in the first overtime when a ball was played from the right corner to the far post. There,
Will Cochran leaped for a header on the goal line but he was pushed off the ball enough to keep his shot from getting to the net. That would to the only shot from the Generals in the extra session, a soft roller from the left side that keepr
Connor Bell scooped up the left post. A few minutes later, Kennel was played down to the right corner where he was knocked down. The foul set up the restart, and moments later it was Kennel putting it through for the win.
The goal was Kennel's second of the season, and second in three games. With one of the helpers, Alejos pushed his team-leading assist total to seven.
As mentioned, Beck finished with eight saves. One of those was a heads-up stop on a free kick shot by Kennel from atop the 18 early in the second-half. With the wall being assembled Kennel quickly shot through the defense, but Beck was there to land on the offering.
Beck's counterpart,
Connor Bell, also made a few great plays; the Messiah keeper collected five saves in his first career start.
Messiah's midfield and defense were solid throughout the game, keep the Generals' attack under control while also consistently earning back possession.
The win pushed Messiah to 8-3-1, and they will now start a stretch of six-straight MAC Commonwealth games to end the regular season.
