GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 9 Messiah men's soccer team topped visiting Eastern Connecticut State, 3-0, at Shoemaker Field on Monday evening. Trevor Goodling made key offensive contributions in the win, assisting the Falcons' opening goal of the game while notching a tally of his own in the second half. Jonathan Groothoff and Luke Brautigam each contributed their first goals of the season as Messiah improved to 2-0 on the season.
 
The Falcons entered the contest after a thrilling double overtime victory on Saturday night to begin the 2021 campaign. Despite riding off the season-opening momentum, the visiting Warriors had the first chance of the game in the third minute when a threatening cross glanced just beyond Messiah's far post untouched. Luke Groothoff answered with a chance of his own, earning himself some space at the top of the 18-yard box, pushing a strong shot wide to the left of the frame.
 
Messiah got itself on the board first with Jonathan Groothoff's first tally of the season in the ninth minute. Goodling served a low cross in front of the net as J. Groothoff positioned himself perfectly to finish the cross, putting the Falcons ahead 1-0. After scoring first, Messiah continued to apply offensive pressure. Messiah nearly doubled its advantage in the 22nd minute when L. Groothoff dinged a shot off the bottom side of the crossbar. The ball cannoned back in to play, finding L. Groothoff's feet again as he put the rebound shot just high and wide to the right.
 
The Falcons entered halftime with the lead, 1-0. Messiah outshot the visitors 9-3 in the half. Of the Falcons' nine shots, just one of them was on target, which was the opening goal from J. Groothoff. Messiah's defense held firm throughout the entirety of the half, holding Eastern Conn. State to just two shots on target.
 
The first five minutes of the second half was end-to-end action from both sides before Luke Brautigam headed in the Falcons' second goal of the game in the 53rd minute. Cole Cristian found himself in space near the end line and played a beautiful cross to Brautigam, giving Messiah a 2-0 edge. The goal was the senior's third of his career and just the Falcons' second shot on target. With only 30 minutes left to play, Messiah increased its lead to a comfortable 3-0 margin. J. Groothoff nearly had his second tally of the contest when he found space for a left-footed strike, but with the goalkeeper making a point-blank save out of his net, Goodling was able to rifle home the rebound for his first goal of the season.
 
The second half of play continued to be eventful as Messiah was finding its offensive stride. The Falcons earned a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the 18-yard box when Matt McDonald was clipped on a breakaway chance. Grant Johnson stepped up to take the free kick, curling the ball off the far goalpost and out of play for a Warriors goal kick.
 
Messiah had several quality chances in the closing 15 minutes of the game, but the Warrior's backup goalkeeper, Nathan Yeich, denied the Falcons as he racked up three saves to keep his side within striking distance. Eastern Conn. State could not muster a counter on Messiah, as the Falcons prevailed, 3-0.
 
Defensively, the Falcons were sound. After increasing its advantage to three goals, Messiah held the Warriors to minimal chances on goal, posting consecutive shutouts to begin the season. Goalkeeper Jared Pavlovich recorded four saves
 
What's Up Next
Messiah (2-0-0) will return to the pitch this Saturday, September 11th, when they travel to Muhlenberg College to square off with the Mules at 7:00 p.m.