Grantham, PA – They say absence makes the heart grow fonder; Messiah men's soccer couldn't agree more.

One year after missing out the NCAA Division III Championships Tournament for the first time in 19 years, the Falcons won the MAC Commonwealth Championship and are going back to the dance.
 
Nick West scored three times on Saturday to lead Messiah to the win, 4-1 over Lebanon Valley College. The tallies doubled West's scoring output from the season thus far, and he was named the conference tournament's Most Valuable Player. Robby Johnson also tallied for the Falcons as they came within 16 seconds of a shutout and held the Dutchmen to just three shots on goal.
 
The conference title is 16th in Messiah men's soccer history, and it's their first since winning back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015. Messiah has now won 13 titles since the year 2000.
 
Despite the history, and also the guarantee that No. 5-ranked Messiah would receive an at-large bid into the NCAA postseason if it were needed, the Falcons proved they were once again the best of the MAC Commonwealth. The win wasn't without some hesitation, however, especially when, just 34 seconds in the game, Lebanon Valley's Bradley Mehl found a sudden and clear look at the goal from 17 yards out. With nothing but keeper Connor Bell in front, his shot hooked wide of the left post and left Messiah fans exhaling loudly.
 
That missed opportunity loomed large as the Falcons began to settle play, and in the 22nd minute the Falcons broke through with a quick turn of play. The ball was stolen in the midfield and sent harmlessly up to Kirby Robbins who had his back to the goal about 35 yards out. But he flicked it quickly back to Jacob Bender who just as quickly slipped it to the left side for a streaking Nick West. West took a quick touch and rocketed a left-footed shot past keeper Cam Avery. The goal was simply electric and Avery had no chance to defend it.
 
Messiah went on to finish with 12 shots in the first-half, with Avery collecting four saves. Bell was not tested after the Falcons took the 1-0 lead.
 
Almost immediately in the second-half West scored again as Colby Thomas led West into the box in the 49th minute, this time on the right side. West took a touch forward and again hit a hard strike past Avery for his second goal of the game and a 2-0 lead.
 
West completed the hat-trick in the 60th minute when he cleaned up a loose ball near the left post. Thomas started the play by cutting in on the right end line, and he slotted it back to Kirby Robbins for a near-post shot. Avery managed to knock it down, but no one could keep West from getting a foot on it to punch it through.
 
Seven minutes later Robby Johnson put the game away with his first tally of the season. Like two of West's goals before it, Johnson beat Avery near post after attacking into the right side of the box.
 
Despite a few moments of attack by the Dutchmen, the Falcons were in control until the finish. The game was especially physical in the final minutes, and a tie-up near the Falcons' goal led to a penalty kick with 16 seconds left. Despite losing the shutout the Falcons were dominant to the tune of a 27-8 edge in total shots, 15-3 in shots on goal.
 
As mentioned, the Falcons will now prepare for the NCAA Tournament after missing out on the national bracket last season. This year's bracket will be announced on Monday afternoon. Fans are encouraged to follow GoMessiah.com for a live link to the selection show.