GRANTHAM, Pa. – Messiah men's soccer has already played four overtime games this fall. Nick West decided he wanted to keep it that way.
 
West's goal with 1.2 seconds left powered the No. 3 Falcons to a thrilling 1-0 win over Hood. Messiah survived a handful of close calls to claim the road contest, with Kirby Robbins setting up West's stunner on a long pass from midfield.
 
With the win, Messiah is now locked in as the MAC Commonwealth tournament's top seed. The victory bumps the Falcons to 16-1 overall and 7-0 in the MAC Commonwealth, while the Blazers drop to 8-8-1 and 2-4-1.
 
In The Nick (West) of Time
 
When Hood goalkeeper Danny Castillo got his paws on the ball with 20 seconds to play, Messiah seemed destined for its second straight overtime conference game. Castillo drilled a booming goal kick deep into the Messiah half, where the ball was knocked around briefly before Brit Haseltine maintained possession. Haseltine slipped a quick pass to Robbins, who spun to his left and belted a deep ball down the heart of the pitch.
 
West, who launched a long run past three off-guard Hood defenders, collected Robbins' brilliantly played through ball on the move and edged it past a charging Castillo (seven saves) as the final horn sounded.
 
The clutch finish secured a game in which Messiah outshot the home side 15-6. Messiah deposited eight shots on goal to Hood's four, though the Blazers demanded big defensive stops from the Falcons on a few close looks.  
 
Lend a Helping Hand/Chest/Head/Foot
 
Before West's goal, Messiah came close to punching it in multiple times, with Castillo needing support to keep the sheet clean.  
 
West earned the contest's first golden opportunity seven minutes in, when he flicked a Danny Brandt corner near post. Castillo dove over the soft strike, but a Hood defender was waiting on the goal line to head the attempt away. Another well-played cross from Brandt was nearly struck home by Robbins at the 61' mark. Castillo got his hand on Robbins' effort, slowing it down enough for a Blazers' defender to clear it off the line.
 
David Alejos also stepped up to direct several key chances late in the first half. The junior swung a cross to Haseltine in the 33', forcing Castillo to save the header. Alejos then followed it up with shots on frame at 36', 39' and 44'. The last rip came with five seconds left in the half and required a leaping save from Castillo.
 
Hold Your Breath
 
Castillo wasn't the only keeper that used an assist, as Messiah keeper Connor Bell needed all defenders on deck to survive a wild sequence at the 20' mark.
 
Hood's best chance of the game began when Robert Ellerson launched a 35-yard free kick on frame, demanding Bell (four saves) to leap up and back to knock the blast away. The rebound was directed to Falcons' defender Cooper Robbins, who deflected it away from the goal line with his foot. Hood got away yet another shot in the flurry, but Bell regained his feet in time to make a play. The ball struck Bell's hand before bouncing off the chest of Shay Quintin and away from the goal.
 
The Blazers also challenged Bell on a long free kick in the 75', but the Messiah keeper made another athletic leap backwards to punch the ball over the frame.
 
Up Next
 
With the MAC Commonwealth's top seed firmly in tow, Messiah will look to furnish its momentum in an Oct. 28 home clash opposite Stevenson. The game marks the end of the Falcons' regular season, with postseason play set to begin on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Shoemaker. Stevenson brings a 2-5 conference record and 3-11-2 overall record into the showdown.