Annville, PA – David Alejos scored a goal in the seventh minute and Messiah College battled through steady rain and a drenched surface to edge Lebanon Valley College on Saturday, 1-0. The win moved the Falcons to 7-0-3 on the season, and also 1-0 in the MAC Commonwealth. Lebanon Valley fell to 7-2 overall and an opposite 0-1 mark in the conference.
 
The tally for Alejos was his first in seven games, and just his second overall this season. But it couldn't have come at a better time as the Falcons took advantage of some early possession in the Dutchmen territory. Three of Messiah's chances came in the seventh minute, and it started with a restart 28 yards out on the right side. A lead pass into the right side of box was run down by Lebanon Valley keeper Cam Avery before a shot could be taken and, just seconds later, a volleyed shot by Justin Brautigam from within the box was grabbed on the line by Avery.
 
With some momentum building, Alejos scored moments later when he was slipped into the box from the midfield. The crafty forward—who recently switched from the wing into the midfield—took the pass and eluded Avery with a few touches before sending a crisp shot across the box and over the goal line.
 
As it turned out, that was all the scoring the Falcons needed, even as both teams had chances until the end. Messiah came very close to getting another one themselves in the 13th minute off a corner serve. Brautigam leaped up for a header at the six-yard line, but his redirection when just wide of the far post.
 
Lebanon Valley managed to settle in as the game progressed, and they had two good chances to equalize on free kicks in 22nd and 29th minutes, respectively. The opportunities were mirror images of each other as both were from about 25 yards out and just beyond the left and right corners of the box. The first attempt was a shot that sailed high, but the second one got around the wall and was cleared out by Will Cochran who was on his mark about 12 yards out from the post; Cochran's clearance was sent back into the box a moment later, but Conner Bell made a grab out of the air before a shot could be attempted.
 
The rainy and windy conditions allowed every restart to be a bit dramatic, with Messiah being tested with long balls into their territory. But they answered each challenge, and again they came close to building their lead just before the half. Atu Galadima was played into the box on the right side, and he got to within 10 yards of the post before pushing a shot to the far side of the goal. Cam Avery again made a great play, this time diving to his right on the muddy pitch to snag the attempt.
 
In the second-half Messiah allowed just six more shots to the Dutchmen, although both went on frame and into the hands of Bell. The second of those saves was exceptional as he turned away Jake Kline's strike from 25 yards out. Bell made an extended dirve to push the offering over the crossbar, and moments later a Dutchmen corner was cleared away.

The game also got a bit chippy in the middle of the final period, as the Falcons earned two yellows and a Dutchmen player received a red card for allegedly spitting on a Messiah player.
 
Despite the contested play and challenging conditions, the lone goal held up in a Messiah victory.
 
Messiah finished with a 22-12 edge in shots, with an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Falcons also had an 8-2 edge in corners as their defense and midfield kept the Dutchmen from holding much possession toward the Falcons' goal. Avery finished with seven saves for the hosts, while Bell collected the aforementioned two saves for Messiah.
 
The Falcons will try and push their win streak to three games when they travel to Alvernia University on Wednesday, Oct. 5 to take on the Crusaders. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.