MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Messiah men's soccer was on the right side of a 1-0 decision on Wednesday afternoon against the Penn State - Harrisburg Nittany Lions. Christian Valen netted the lone goal of the match off an assist from Matt McDonald in the 72nd minute. Messiah held a 19-8 advantage in shots on the afternoon.
 
Nate Flanders collected a pair of second-half saves to collect the first win and shutout of his career.
 
Messiah will return to Shoemaker Field on Saturday evening for their home opener against the Muhlenberg Mules at 7:00 p.m.
 
Nittany Lions Pressure Early
The Nittany Lions took the momentum in the opening stretch, pressuring Messiah with two shots in the first five minutes. In just the second minute, Messiah committed a foul in the middle of the field about 25 yards out. The ensuing free kick from Aaron Cummings was a well struck ball that skipped wide of the frame on the right side.
 
Just three minutes later, the Nittany Lions' Jon Gartley collected a loose ball at the top of the box and sent a shot well high of the crossbar and the game remained tied after the opening stretch.
 
Falcons Settle In
After Messiah weathered the storm in the first few minutes, they went on the attack, registering the last eight shots of the opening half. The Falcons' most dangerous chances came in the 28th, 35th, and 44th minutes when Adam Cole, Micah Fitz, and Chris Sepessy each put attempts on frame. All three shots were turned away by Nittany Lions' keeper Nicholas Guglielmetti.
 
Messiah held an 8-2 advantage in shots in the first 45 minutes, but despite the 10 total shots, neither team was able to get on the board and the game remained scoreless at the break.
 
Falcons Get on the Board
In the 15 minutes following the half, both Messiah and Penn State - Harrisburg had quality chances with each side attempting three shots. A pair of attempts from Darryl Daniels and a strike from Adam Cole were unable to find the twine while the Nittany Lions had two attempts sandwiched around a corner, but their shots were blocked and missed wide.
 
In the 70th minute the momentum seemed to swing in Messiah's favor. Three corner kicks in a 45-second span resulted in a saved header from Trevor Swartz and a second attempt from Swartz that was blocked. Messiah continuted to pressure, keeping possession in the Nittany Lions' end and in the 72nd minute found their moment of brilliance off a strike from Christian Valen.
 
The tally was set up off a feed from Matt McDonald in the midfield. McDonald threaded a ball through two defenders to the top right corner of the box for Valen. A controlling touch was all Valen needed before rocketing a right-footed strike to the back post for the 1-0 Messiah lead.
 
The goal was Valen's fifth of his career and would be all the Falcons needed in a 1-0 victory.
 
Falcons Hold On
Much like they did in the opening minutes of the game, Messiah hung tough over the final moments on Wednesday. The Nittany Lions registered three shots in the final 15 minutes, including their only two attempts of the day that went on frame. Nate Flanders turned both shots away as Messiah picked-up their first victory of the season with a 1-0 final.
 
As a team, Messiah held a 19-8 advantage in shots, putting nine on frame against just two for the Nittany Lions. The Falcons also held a comfortable lead in corners at 8-2.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will now return home for the first time this season when they host the Muhlenberg College Mules at 7:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field on Saturday, Sept. 7. Saturday's match will be the 24th meeting between the two sides in program history. Messiah holds a 13-8-2 all-time record against the Mules, but it will be the first meeting since a 2-1 Messiah victory on Sept. 22, 2004.