GRANTHAM, Pa. - Nick West struck three times in the second-half to lead the No. 1 Messiah men's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over the Whitworth Pirates on Saturday evening. The Falcons and Pirates played 64 scoreless minutes to start the game, before the Nick West show started. West was sprung free by Luke Brautigam in the 65th minute with a long ball over the defense. West cut into the box and finished into the top of the net to break the tie and give Messiah the upper hand.
 
After a quick breather on the bench, West was back on the pitch and at it again. In the 81st minute, he scored a very patience goal after eluding a pair of defenders in the box. He completed the hat trick less than four minutes later after picking off a pass from the Whitworth goalkeeper and slotting a shot into an empty net.
 
West's hat trick is just the 26th for a Messiah men's soccer player since the start of the 2000 season and the 81st ever in program history. West was the last Falcon to record a hat trick, netting three goals against Lebanon Valley on Nov. 5, 2016.
 
How it Happened
For a majority of the contest the Falcons and Pirates were deadlocked in a scoreless stalemate. Messiah had their fair share of chances with 19 shots in the opening half, but Whitworth's defense held tough with their keeper, Jesus Nunez, making a number of athletic saves. His best may have been in the 31st minute on a shot from Jonathan Groothoff. Nunez made a diving save with his top hand to keep the game scoreless at the time.
 
Shots by Lucas Kokolios, Micah Fitz, and Christian Valen, as well as two by West were turned away in the opening half and the sheet remained clean heading into the second period.
 
After the break, Messiah continued the pressure in the early portion of the half, but was unable to breakthrough with the goal. Then in the 65th minute Justin Bratigam sent a ball down the right side for West. The senior target cut the ball into the middle of the box before roofing his shot into the top of the net with his left foot to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.
 
In the 81st minute, West showed his versatility by scoring with the right foot after a fantastic touch in the midfield. A long ball was sent ahead to the midfield stripe and West touched the ball down the right sideline. He cut the ball back to the middle of the field before spinning past a pair of defenders and ripping a low shot to the near post with his right foot.
 
Just three minutes later the Pirates goalkeeper gifted West the hat trick, sending a clearance ball right to his feet. West needed just two touches to breakdown the keeper and then rolled a shot into the back of the net for the final tally of the game.

In the Box Score
The Falcons held a 32-8 advantage in shots and controlled the majority of play throughout the contest. The Pirates did have their opportunities, forcing Messiah keeper Connor Bell to make four saves in the match, including three in the second-half.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons now turn their attention to former-Division I Hartwick, who they will play on Wednesday night on Shoemaker Field at 5:00 p.m. The Hawks are competing in their first season as an NCAA Division III program and have started the season with a 2-0 loss against United States Merchant Marine Academy.