GRANTHAM, Pa. - For the first time in six years, the Messiah men's soccer team played their long-time rivals from Elizabethtown on their home turf. In front of a packed house split evenly between navy and royal shirts, the Falcons and Blue Jays played to a 0-0 draw on Shoemaker Field with marshmallows littering the field and a steady rain falling from the sky.
 
The Falcons were on the front foot for a majority of the match, earning an 18-5 advantage in shots and a 9-3 edge in corner kicks. Despite the heavy pressure, particularly after the half, Messiah was unable to find the back of the net across 110 minutes of play.
 
The scoreless draw, moves the Falcons to 4-0-2 on the season. Messiah will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to New York University to take on the Violets at 4:00 p.m.
 
Level Opening Half
The opening 45 minutes of Wednesday's match was a level battle with both teams attempting four shots in the half. Four of the Blue Jays attempts came in the first five minutes of play with all three missing the frame. Messiah attempted their first attempts in the 13th and 14th minutes with Luke Groothoff and Ben Lefever missing the frame.
 
In the 21st minute, Groothoff was at it again, putting an attempt on goal, but it was turned away. Lucas Kokolios attempted the only other shot in the 29th minute, missing high and the match turned to the second half still scoreless.
 
Messiah Pressures With No Tally
After the break, Messiah turned up the pressure in the rivalry game, attempting eight second-half shots against just one for the visiting Blue Jays. The Falcons were on the front foot for the entire second half, but only one shot went on frame. Trevor Goodling took that rip in the 78th minute, but it was turned away.
 
Other attempts that missed the frame looked dangerous, none more so than a Luke Groothoff attempt in the 85th minute that snuck just outside of the left post from the right side. That shot was the final one in regulation.
 
In the overtime periods, Messiah was the only side to register any attempts, taking six total shots across the 20 minutes. Even with consistent pressure, the Blue Jays' defense stood firm, keeping the Falcons off the board for the entirety of the contest and earning a draw.
 
In the Box Score
As mentioned, Messiah earned an 18-5 advantage in shots while also out cornering the Blue Jays 9-3 in the contest.
 
Luke Groothoff attempted six shots while Lucas Kokolios took four cracks at a goal.
 
Between the pipes, Jared Pavlovich was not tested, as all five of Elizabethtown's attempts were off frame.
 
What's Up Next
The scoreless draw, moves the Falcons to 4-0-2 on the season and Messiah will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to New York University to take on the Violets at 4:00 p.m. The Falcons and Violets have squared off just one time in program history with Messiah taking down NYU 3-0 in the National Semifinal in 2006.