Grantham, PA – Three first-half goals propelled Messiah College to a 5-0 victory over Mount Saint Vincent on Saturday evening. Jacob Bender and Colby Thomas each scored by way of a penalty kick, and Brit Haseltine tallied twice on the evening. Kirby Robbins also added his fifth goal of the season.
 
The win kept the Falcons undefeated on the year, as they moved to 4-0-2. The loss dropped the Dolphins to 2-4-1.
 
Messiah was aggressive early on the offensive attack, and it paid off just seven minutes into the game. Nick West began his attack towards the goal just outside the center of the box when a hard foul by a Dolphins defender set up a free kick opportunity for the Falcons. Instead of taking his time, and with the Dolphins setting up a wall, Bender quickly played the ball into the middle, where Kirby Robbins was open to knock in the first goal of the evening.
 
Mount St. Vincent's overly-aggressive defensive would again benefit Messiah just eight minutes later. On a deep ball sent to the left edge of the box, David Alejos attacked with keeper David Melchor charging hard. Alejos and Melchor collided after the forward slipped a shot towards the goal, as the official awarded the Falcons with a penalty kick. Bender put the penalty kick into the right side of the net for his third goal of the year.
 
Although the Falcons' offensive attack continued to knock on the door, it would not be until the 34th minute that Messiah would score again. Atu Galadima played a deep ball from midfield to the left edge of the box. Brit Haseltine chased it down, stopped and touched back towards the middle. He then ripped a shot that tucked inside the right post to give Messiah a 3-0 advantage at the break.
 
In the 55th minute, the Falcons would again take advantage of an overzealous Dolphins defense. On an attack deep in Messiah territory, Colby Thomas advanced into the box and looked to make a play. As he continued towards goal, defender Pablo Tellez made late contact with Thomas, which gave the Falcons another penalty kick opportunity. Thomas would step up this time, and knock it into the right side of the net to give Messiah a 4-0 advantage.
 
Moments later, Brit Haseltine would strike again for the Falcons to push the lead to five. Thomas received the ball on the right side of the Falcons' third from Micah Fitz. Thomas then fed Jacob Bender 25 yards from goal, who faced the net and squeezed a pass through multiple defenders into the box. Bender's pass met Haseltine in stride, who immediately fired it into the net for his second of the evening and end the scoring for the night.
 
Messiah's offensive attack constantly challenged Mount Saint Vincent's backline, which helped the Falcons gain a 25-1 advantage in shots, a new season-high. They also managed to put 10 shots on frame, matching a season-high last set on Sept. 9 against Oglethrope.

Messiah returns to action Tuesday night when they take on York College on Shoemaker Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.