BALTIMORE, Md. - The Johns Hopkins Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead over the No. 1 Messiah men's soccer team less than 30 seconds into Monday evening's match. That lead doubled just minutes into the second-half when Liam Creedon tallied in the 50th minute off a free kick to give Hopkins a 2-0 advantage. Following Creedon's goal, the Falcons faced their second 2-0 deficit of the season, but just as they did on opening day, the Falcons battled their way back with a pair of late goals to even the match and force overtime.

It was the nation's leading goal scorer, Nick West, that provided the spark for the Falcons with two goals in the final 10 minutes of the match to help the Falcons level play. West scored in the 80th minute to give Messiah a chance before completing the comeback with another goal off a deflection in the 89th minute.

Despite Messiah holding a 5-1 advantage in shots during the 20 minutes of overtime, the Falcons and Blue Jays ended the contest in a 2-2 draw.

Nick West moves his season goal total to an astounding 17 tallies.

Messiah moves to 8-0-2 overall on the year and will next take the pitch on Wednesday when they travel to Stevenson to meet the Mustangs at 7:00 p.m.

Early Deficit
Just 29 seconds into Monday night's contest, Johns Hopkins sent a long ball forward and after a header pass ahead, Achim Younker slotted a shot for the opening goal of the contest. The tally from Younker was the first of the season for the junior forward and gave the Blue Jays an early 1-0 lead.

The Johns Hopkins goal came on the only shot of the first-half for the Blue Jays.

Messiah took a total of six shots in the half and tested the Johns Hopkins' keeper, Xander LeFevre, twice with shots on goal from Lucas Kokolios and Luke Groothoff late in the half. Despite the pressure, the Blue Jays held their 1-0 lead into the half.

Bigger Hole
Just as they did to start the match, Johns Hopkins started the second-half with a fast start thanks to the first career goal from Liam Creedon off a free kick from 22 yards out in the 51st minute. The sophomore midfielder bent a ball around the wall and into the top right corner of the goal to turn the lead into a 2-0 advantage for Johns Hopkins.

Following the tally, Messiah turned up their pressure with seven shots in the next 15 minutes, but they were unable to cut into the lead.

Late Comeback
With the Falcons in danger of dropping their first match of the season, trailing 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining, Messiah found their first goal of the contest off the head of Nick West in the 80th minute. Off a corner kick, Micah Fitz's initial shot was saved, but West followed with a header to an open goal to cut the Blue Jays' lead in half.

West's goal gave Messiah a chance, but with just 10 minutes remaining the Falcons faced an uphill battle. Following the Messiah goal, Johns Hopkins held the majority of possession for the next five minutes with Conner Bell forced to make a save in the 87th minute.

Still trailing 2-1 in the 89th minute, Messiah earned a corner kick that David Alejos sent into the box. During the scramble for possession, Micah Fitz headed a ball into the air for Nick West. The Falcons' senior forward unleashed a rocket into the upper left corner for the late equalizer.

The goal was the 17th of the season for West and earned him sole possession of the national lead in goals scored. After assisting on both goals on Monday, Micah Fitz has two consecutive multi-assist games, accounting for all four of his season assists in the last three days.

Scoreless Overtime
The late goals from West forced overtime and Messiah held the stronger run of play through the two overtime periods. Despite taking five shots against just one for the Blue Jays, the Falcons were unable to find the golden goal during the two overtime periods. Messiah had a few dangerous opportunities, including a left-footed rip from Nick West at the beginning of the first overtime period and a rocket from Luke Groothoff in the 107th minute that sailed just over the bar.

What's Up Next
Messiah moves to 8-0-2 on the season and will next take the field on Wednesday when they travel to Owings Mills, Md. to continue MAC Commonwealth play against the Stevenson Mustangs. The Falcons are 1-0-0 in conference play this season after a 6-1 victory over the Hood Blazers on Saturday. The Mustangs are also 1-0, following a 2-1 overtime victory against Arcadia this weekend.