GRANTHAM, Pa. - The top-seeded Messiah men's soccer team punched their ticket to the MAC Commonwealth Championship Game on Saturday with a 2-0 victory in the Conference Semifinals. The Falcons connected in the 21st minute off the foot of Jake Lent-Koop and then with five seconds remaining, Matt McDonald finished off the victory with a tally in the 90th minute.
 
Messiah controlled possession throughout the entirety of the contest, outshooting the visiting Mustangs 28-3. The Falcons sent 16 of their shots on frame while earning 10 corner kicks in the contest.
 
Messiah advances to take on the second-seeded Lebanon Valley Dutchmen, who defeated the Alvernia Golden Wolves 2-1 this afternoon. The MAC Commonwealth Championship will take place this Saturday on Shoemaker Field at a time to be determined.
 
First-Half Score
After netting seven goals against Stevenson the first time these two teams squared off, Messiah was looking for early offense on Wednesday night. The Falcons attempted a half dozen shots and earned a pair of corners in the first 20 minutes.
 
Their second corner of the night produced a goal, when Lucas Kokolios inserted the corner to Jarec Morlote outside the box on the near side. Morlote immediately delivered a ball into the middle of the box when Benn Lefever jumped to head the service. The feed went right over Lefever's head to a waiting Jake Lent-Koop, who knocked home the score from inside the six for a 1-0 Messiah lead.
 
During the final 24 minutes of the half, the Falcons looked to add to the lead, but Stevenson made a total of nine saves in the half to keep it a 1-0 Falcons' lead heading to the break.
 
Relentless Pressure Caps Victory
As mentioned, the Falcons were on the front foot for a majority of the contest, but they really ramped up the pressure down the stretch. While searching for an insurance goal, Messiah attempted nine shots in the final six minutes of play with four chances saved and a handful just barely missing the frame.
 
In the final seconds, Messiah eventually found their insurance goal off the left foot of Matt McDonald. With 10 seconds remaining, Grant Johnson wound up and fired a shot that was blocked. The rebound went to McDonald, who touched it forward before slipping in the second and final score of the night through for the 2-0 victory.
 
On to the MAC Commonwealth Championship
The Falcons have advanced to their 19th MAC Commonwealth Championship Game in the last 21 seasons. The Falcons have claimed 15 of the last 20 Conference Crowns handed out and will face Lebanon Valley in the MAC Commonwealth Championship on Saturday. Lebanon Valley is making their third-ever appearance in the Conference Title Game, previously squaring off with the Falcons in 2016 and 2012. Messiah won both of those contests on Shoemaker Field, claiming the 2016 Title by a 4-1 final and the 2012 Championship by a 1-0 advantage.
 
Game time for Saturday's Championship Game will be determined Thursday night after the result of the women's soccer semifinal game is known. Be sure to check out GoMessiah.com in the coming days for more information on the Conference Title Game.