Grantham, PA – Three different Falcons tallied a goal and rode a constant offensive attack to secure a 3-0 victory over Oswego State Saturday evening. Kirby Robbins, Colby Thomas, and Brit Haseltine each notched goals in the victory, and Messiah used a 20-2 advantage in shots to control the game throughout.
 
Messiah moves to 3-0-1 on the year, while the Lakers fall to 2-3 on the season.
 
The Falcons' offensive pressure began right from the kickoff, as they earned three consecutive corner kicks in the first five minutes of play; even as they didn't score, it was a sign of things to come.
 
The seventh corner of the game proved to be the charm, as the Falcons finally got on the board in the 14th minute. Jacob Bender took a corner on the right side, and tapped it into Colby Thomas who set the ball just inside the flag for Bender's second approach. The senior defender bent the ball to the middle of the box, where Kirby Robbins awaited at the six to head the ball past Evan Bogucki into the right side of the net.
 
The goal was Kirby Robbins's third goal of the weekend after he tallied two goals last night against Ogelthrope.
 
Messiah continued to attack offensively throughout the half, but failed to convert. The score stood at 1-0 heading into intermission despite a 13-1 advantage in shots and an 11-0 advantage in corners.
 
It did not take the Falcons long to convert in the second-half, as Colby Thomas found the back of the net less than minutes into play. Shay Quintin played the ball into space along the left sideline to forward David Alejos about 10 yards from the end line. Alejos took two touches forward and crossed the ball to the right side of the box, where Colby Thomas volleyed a shot into the back of the net from just outside the six-yard mark. Thomas' shot sailed past Bogucki's outstretched hands into the upper 90 to give Messiah a 2-0 advantage.
 
Now trailing by two goals, the Lakers' best chance to get on the board came in the 54th minute off a free kick from about 40 yards out on the left side. Mitch Brickman delivered a high arching serve it into the box, and keeper Connor Bell advanced to punch the ball out, but the ball bowed over his hands and into the back of the net. As Oswego State began to celebrate, the official blew his whistle and correctly called offside, which nullified the goal to keep Messiah's lead at 2-0.
 
Brit Haseltine gave the Falcons a commanding 3-0 lead in the 75th minute with his first career goal. Haseltine received the ball on the left side and just above the 18-yard line. He touched forward once, and when multiple Laker defenders began to hesitate, he continued his advance and ripped a shot to the lower right post that bent past a diving effort from Bogucki.
 
As noted above, the Falcons' offense controlled possession and registered a season-high 20 shots. Messiah also earned 16-1 advantage in corner kicks on the night, another season-best mark for the Falcons.
 
Messiah will return to action Wednesday night when they travel to Gettysburg College. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m.