GRANTHAM, Pa. – In front a Homecoming Day crowd of more than 4,000 fans No. 3 Messiah men's soccer overcame a one-goal deficit to grab a dramatic double-overtime win, 2-1. Kirby Robbins scored both goals for the Falcons, with the equalizer coming in the 69' and the winner coming less than five minutes into the second overtime period.
 
The win moved Messiah to 15-1 overall, and also a perfect 6-0 in the MAC Commonwealth. Lebanon Valley fell to the third spot in the conference at 4-2, with Lycoming staying in second place with a 6-1 record. The Dutchmen are also now 10-3-1 overall.
 
Facing Fire
Fast forward to the second-half, and it was 0-0 after a highly-entertaining and back-and-forth first period that saw Messiah outshoot the Dutchmen 10-3. After the break the Falcons collected four more shots in the first five minutes, but momentum was then quickly grabbed by Lebanon Valley. Their high-pressure play created a scramble in the box in the 53' and Tyler Skye found himself alone for a shot on Conner Bell from just 10 yards out. Bell made a terrific save diving to the left post, but the ensuing corner saw Jake Kline (blocked) and Rob Hanosek (wide) each rocketed shots that left the Falcons exhaling.
 
The sudden turn toward Lebanon Valley did not end quietly, as just moments later Austin Freeman cut in sharply on the left side and served a pass on the ground to the center of the box. There, Hanosek streaked in for a one-timer, giving the Dutchmen the lead and setting off a celebration from their bench that carried to nearly in front of the Falcons' side.
 
Batman and Robin Robbins and Robbins
Later in the frame, and now with less than 25 minutes to play and trailing 1-0 to a talented and aggressive Dutchmen squad, the Falcons remained poised and turned to their leading scorer, Kirby Robbins.
 
The Falcons' first goal was set-up by a foul by the Dutchmen, with the Falcons getting a set play from 30 yards out on the right side. Danny Brandt lined up the set, but then quickly played to Robbins on the right side where he touched middle and fired a left-footed shot across the frame and into the net.
 
Furious Finish (to Regulation)
The match went into the final minutes tied 1-1, and Messiah created some excitement with four corners in the final 90 seconds of regulation. Justin Brautigam put a header on frame (off a bounce) on the first of those serves, though Cam Avery made a tip save to knock it over the frame.
 
All four of Danny Brandt's corners were well-placed, though Messiah couldn't score.
 
Fun Finish (to Overtime)
Midway through the second overtime Messiah broke through again, and once again it was Robbins delivering the theatrics. Colby Thomas collected the assist after a terrific turn on the right side and pass back to Robbins at the top of the box. Robbins took the feed and cut middle to setup a look, and he fired inside the right post for the winner.
 
The 4,000-plus fans roared with cheer, with more than a few members of the senior class and student section making it on the field to celebrate with the Falcons.
 
The winner for Robbins was his team-leading sixth of the season, and the overtime golden goal was the first such tally on Homecoming Day since Jeremy Payne's lone goal in the 98' beat Widener in 2012.
 
Up Next
Messiah will hit the road for their next match, a 7:00 p.m. game at Hood next Wednesday. The Blazer are 8-7-1 overall with a 2-3-1 record in the conference, and they defeated Albright 2-1 (OT) earlier this afternoon.