GRANTHAM, Pa. – Luke Groothoff connected just 1:31 into Saturday's match to give No. 2 Messiah men's soccer an early 1-0 lead over the Eastern Eagles. The Falcons would build that lead to 3-0 by halftime with tallies from Matt McDonald and Ben Lefever. In the second half, Ben Lefever connected for his second goal of the match and Stefan Leitzel ended the match with a tally in the 89th minute. Eastern did became the first conference team to score against the Falcons this season. At the end of 90 minutes, Messiah earned the 5-1 victory over the Eagles.
 
As mentioned, Ben Lefever scored in each half for his first career multi-goal game.
 
Messiah controlled possession throughout the match, attempting 22 shots against four attempts from the Eagles.
 
With four goals on Saturday evening, the Falcons have now scored at least four goals in 10 of their 14 matches this season, including their last six contests.
 
Messiah moves to 13-0-1 on the season and remains perfect in conference play with a 4-0-0 MAC Commonwealth record. The Falcons will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Hood to take on the Blazers at 7:00 p.m.
 
Quick First Half
The Falcons started fast, with Ben Lefever whipping a cross into the box from the right endline. Luke Groothoff got a head on the delivery. While his initial shot was saved, Groothoff followed his shot and hammered home the rebound with his right foot for a 1-0 lead just 1:31 into the match.
 
In the 15th minute, Trevor Swartz held possession at the top of the box and sent a feed toward Matt McDonald on the left side. McDonald quickly took a touch toward the endline and beat the keeper for his 14th goal of the season in as many games. The tally gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead.
 
Less than 10 minutes later, the Falcons were at it again. This time it was Ben Lefever getting on the board with a nifty finish from the right side. Luke Groothoff carried into the box and played a little give and go with Matt McDonald in the box. After Groothoff got the ball back, he gave a cut pass to Ben Lefever, who beat his defender to the inside and then went near post with a left-footed finish for a 3-0 lead.
 
Second-Half Action
In the 58th minute, Ben Lefever connected on his second goal of the evening. Luke Brautigam won possession for the Falcons in the midfield and played quickly ahead to Matt McDonald, who slipped Ben Lefever in on goal with a well weighted throughball. Lefever hit his shot with a one touch, finding the back of the net from the right-side of the box.
 
Eastern would score the first goal against the Falcons in conference play in the 62nd minute. Off a corner kick, Messiah attempted to head the delivery away, but it found the foot of Derek Buhrman, who connected from the top of the box.
 
Stefan Leitzel capped off the victory with an unassisted tally in the 89th minute to give the Falcons a 5-1 victory on Saturday night.
 
What's Up Next
With the victory, Messiah improves to 13-0-1 on the season and 4-0-0 in the MAC Commonwealth. The Falcons will travel to Frederick, Md. on Wednesday for a midweek conference tilt against the Hood Blazers at 7:00 p.m.