GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 1 Messiah men's soccer team advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament with a 4-1 victory over the Franciscan Barons on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons scored three goals in the opening half and added an insurance tally off the foot of Matt McDonald in the second half en route to the victory. Messiah will play the winner of Williams and NYU tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.
 
Matt McDonald led the Falcons with a pair of goals, scoring in the 11th and 58th minutes. Cole Cristian and Josh Bratager also scored for the Falcons in the 21st and 36th minutes respectively.
 
Messiah outshot the Barons 36-9 in the match.
 
How It Happened
The Falcons had quality looks in the opening minutes of the match with shots by Ben Lefever and Matt McDonald saved. In the 11th minute, the Falcons broke through with Matt McDonald running onto a ball at the top of the box from Cole Cristian. McDonald took his time and buried a shot in the left-side of the goal, taking his shot right at the top of the box.
 
In the 21st minute, Cole Cristian got a goal of his own. Cristian created his own opportunity in the box, pulling the keeper off of his line. With the goal open, Cristian got just enough on the attempt to put it in the back of the net.
 
Messiah added a third goal in the 36th with a penalty kick. Patrick Lee, beat his defender on the left side and got into the box, but was taken down by two different Baron defenders. The result was a penalty kick for the Falcons. Josh Bratager stepped up and deftly connected on a penalty, giving Messiah a 3-0 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the half.
 
The Barons found a moment of quality in the 45th minute, less than 30 seconds before the half. A long ball down the right side found the foot for Nick Cross. He got through two defenders and sent a low cross to Zachary Muldoon in the middle of the box. Muldoon ripped a shot the cut Messiah's lead to 3-1 heading into the half.
 
In the second half, Messiah threatened frequently, but was held to just one goal off the foot of Matt McDonald. In the 58th minute, Messiah quickly countered after a chance from the Barons. McDonald was pushed to the ground as he attempted to get past his defender, however after the Barons collected possession, then sent a backwards pass that looked like a through ball to McDonald. The keeper came off of his line, but McDonald met him and the ball at the same time. The result was a ball that squirted across the goal line for McDonald's second goal of the game and 23rd of the season.
 
In total, Messiah attempted 35 shots in the match, sending 15 on target. Franciscan atook nine shots and put three on frame.
 
What's Up Next
With the victory, Messiah advances to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. against the winner of New York University and Williams College.