ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The No. 1 Messiah men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision against the No. 9 University of Rochester Yellowjackets on a snowy and cold Sunday afternoon in Rochester, N.Y. Messiah fell into a 1-0 hole after a goal in the 34th minute by the Yellowjackets, but Nick West scored his 30th goal of the season in the 50th minute to tie the match at 1-1.

The Falcons nearly took the lead just moments later, but another shot by West was blocked on the goal line by a defender and the score remained even at 1-1. Both teams had opportunities throughout the remainder of the second-half, but a Yellowjackets cross in the 82nd minute from the right-side was deflected high into the air by the Messiah defense eventually crossing the goal line for an own goal and a 2-1 Rochester lead.

In the final eight minutes, Messiah's lone shot by Lucas Kokolios sailed high of the bar and the Falcons suffered their first defeat of the season, ending the 2018 campaign in the Elite Eight.

Rochester Takes the Lead
After an opening 30 minutes that featured five shots from each side, it was the Yellowjackets that broke through for the first goal of the contest off a cross from the left-side. Rochester pushed the ball into the left corner in the 34th minute and sent a perfect cross to Ulrik Koren standing on the penalty spot for the full volley that beat the Falcons' defense for a 1-0 Yellowjacket lead.

Following the goal, Messiah attempted three shots prior to the half with Nick West taking all three. West put two attempts on frame, but both were turned away by Patrick Conway, the Rochester goalkeeper, and Messiah faced a 1-0 deficit at the half for the second-straight day.

West Equalizes
After the half, Messiah turned up their pressure immediately and quickly found their equalizer off the foot of the nation's leading goal scorer, Nick West. In the 50th minute, Trevor Goodling carried down the right-side and delivered a long cross toward the back post. Brit Haseltine headed the initial delivery back to the middle of the box where West was there for a one-time strike to level the score.

The tally was his 30th of the season, making West just the second men's player in Messiah soccer history to tally 30 goals in a season.

Nearly In Front
Just 45 seconds after squaring the match at 1-1, West had a chance to give the Falcons the lead when he angled a low strike from the left-side of the box toward the right post. West beat the keeper with his strike and the ball looked destined for the back of the net, but a Yellowjacket defender was hanging around the back post and was able to clear the ball off the goal line.

Yellowjackets Take the Lead Back
With the score still tied 1-1 in the 82nd minute, the Yellowjackets sent a cross from the right-side into the box where the Falcons attempted to clear the dangerous ball. The clearance attempt bounced high into the air off the leg of a Falcon and with Connor Bell off his line, also attempting to clear the ball out of danger, over the Messiah keeper.

With the ball heading toward the open goalmouth, the Messiah defense attempted to keep the ball from crossing the goal line, but their clearance was just a moment late. The ball crossed the line and the Yellowjackets took a 2-1 lead with eight minutes remaining.

Final Push
With their season on the line, facing a one goal deficit in the final moments of the game, Messiah's final shot of the contest came in the 83rd minute off the foot of Lucas Kokolios off a volley. His attempt went just high of the crossbar and despite playing direct in the final minutes, Messiah was unable to find the equalizer in the final moments.

The Yellowjackets held on for the 2-1 victory, advancing to their first Final Four in program history.

Historical Notes
- Nick West finished his senior campaign with 30 goals, the second-most in a single season in Messiah men's soccer history (Adrian Oostdyke, 31 goals in 1973).
- Connor Bell finishes his career with 7,018 minutes between the pipes, the second-most for a goalkeeper in Messiah men's soccer history.
- Sunday's Elite Eight game marks the end of the career for seven seniors. The class of 2018 graduates with a four-year record of 76-9-7 (.864 winning percentage), including trips to the Sweet 16 (2016) and Elite Eight (2018) as well as the 2017 National Championship.