Grantham, PA - Home is where the heart is and, apparently, the goals.
In their first game on their home field, No. 3 Messiah College got four goals from four different players in a shutout win over Randolph College. The decision pushed the Falcons to 2-1, while Randolph fell to an 2-2.
The Falcons got on the board in just the seventh minute when
Kirby Robbins was played quickly into the right side of the box. He dropped the ball back to
Benji Kennel for a shot, but keeper CJ Stevens stopped the ball on the goal line. Despite getting the save, the carom went to the feet of
David Alejos on the far post, and he ran it through for the 1-0 lead.
The early advantage was especially beneficial for Messiah as both teams battled through stretches of unsettled play. Even still, the Falcons put together a 12-4 advantage in shots in the first-half, and in the 30th minute
Will Cochran doubled their lead.
Cochran and
Colby Thomas played give-and-go with each other in front of the Falcons' bench to set up the goal, and Cochran made a brilliant touch to give himself a great angle for the shot. His electric finish from the top of box set off a raucous cheer from the crowd of 3,150 and he celebrated with a backflip near the sideline.
Messiah's best stretch of play came at the start of the second-half, and it included the game's third goal.
Bryant Myer set up the score with a great cut around the left side to get toward the box for a long cross. His serve was headed away by the Wildcat's defense, but it bounded to the top of 18 where
Danny Rowe ran on for possession. He touched forward and juked a defender before firing it past the goalie for the score.
Less than 15 minutes later
Kirby Robbins completed the scoring, and again Myer set it up. This time he advanced to the post on the left side and drew a defender before slotting it back to Robbins for the strike.
Altogether the Falcons finished with a 19-5 edge in shots, with nine of those shots going on frame. Just one Randolph shot went on the goal, with
Jonathan Weaver collecting the save. In typical fashion the Falcons also played 23 players.
The Falcons will turn around quickly as they host Houghton College tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m.
