GLASSBORO, N.J. - No. 16 Messiah men's soccer saw an early lead turn into a late deficit before Samuel Ruiz Plaza (regulation) and Colby Thomas (2OT) tallied late to help the Falcons to a wild 3-2 win at Rowan on Friday night. Thomas' winner came in the 103' to seal the victory, and the Falcons benefited from a missed penalty kick by the Profs from the first overtime period.

The win pushed Messiah to 5-1 overall, while Rowan fell to 5-2.
 
Fast Forward
Through the first 57' a single goal was scored—Messiah's Kirby Robbins punched through a rebound in the 14' for an early Falcon lead—and the Falcons were in control. But that all changed when Rowan's Shane Doherty headed through the equalizer just over 10 minutes into the second period. The tally came on just the third shot in the game by Rowan, and they followed that up by capitalizing on a free kick just six minutes later. A yellow on Micah Fitz set up the opportunity from atop the 18, and Doherty's curled shot was first saved by Connor Bell and then knocked in by Travis Ward.
 
Rowan's two scores changed momentum in a hurry and put the Falcons on their heels.
 
Clawing Back
Messiah trailed until the 86' when they finally found an equalizer of their own. Micah Fitz earned some redemption with a helper by way of a chip over the defense to the right side of the box. Keeper Kyle Dennis came out to make a play, but Plaza got to it first and fired it through the recovering defenders to knot the score up 2-2.
 
A Little Fortune
The teams played into the overtime session, and Rowan was poised to win in the 96' when Messiah was whistled in the box to give Rowan's Will Sjaastad a penalty kick. His offering sailed high, however, giving the Falcons new life and, eventually, sending the game into the final overtime period.
 
Turn the Tables
Long after Messiah saw their one goal lead disappear, Rowan found the same fate when they turned the ball over in their backfield. The Falcons quickly took advantage and found a 3-v-2 opportunity toward goal, and a quick pass from Danny Brandt to the right side set-up Thomas for a shot across the goal and inside the far post.
 
The turnover by the Profs set-up the goal, and Messiah ran onto the field to celebrate the dramatic win.
 
In the Box
Both teams put eight shots on goal in a physical game that saw both teams combine for 32 fouls, though Rowan was whistled for 25 themselves. Connor Bell made six saves for the visitors.
 
Up Next
The Falcons will stay on the road and play at York College next Wednesday, Sept. 20. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.