GRANTHAM, Pa. – Four goals in the first 25 minutes lifted the top-seeded Messiah men's soccer team to a 5-0 victory over the Widener Pride to clinch their 20th Conference Championship in program history. MAC Commonwealth Tournament Most Valuable Player Cole Cristian netted two goals in the first five minutes of the match to set the early tone. First-half tallies from Luke Groothoff and Trevor Swartz followed as Messiah took a 4-0 lead at the half.
 
A late score from Zackary Venus in the 71st minute completed the scoring as the Falcons netted their most goals in a Conference Championship match since 2008 when they defeated Widener 7-0.
 
With the victory, Messiah earns the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament. They will find out their First Round opponent on Monday afternoon when the bracket is released in a selection show on ncaa.com at 1:30 p.m. Messiah will be making their 32nd appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
 
How It Happened
Like they did in the semifinal on Thursday, the Falcons jumped out to an early lead, scoring just over a minute into the MAC Commonwealth Championship on Saturday. Matt McDonald created some space on the right side of the box and slipped a pass to Cole Cristian on the left side for the one-time shot past a diving keeper. The early goal was the first of two Cole Cristian tallies to begin the match.
 
Just over four minutes later, Cristian was at it again on the receiving end of a Ben Lefever feed into the middle of the box. Lefever gained possession on a well-weighted through ball from Luke Groothoff on the right-side of the box. From there, Lefever sent a delivery on the ground to Cristian. With a defender on his back, Cristian tucked a shot inside the left post for a 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the match.
 
The lead turned to 3-0 with a Luke Groothoff riffle from deep in the 19th minute. On a little give and go with Luke Brautigam, Groothoff found some space, wound up, and ripped a right-footed shot past the diving keeper from 25 yards out. The tally was his sixth of the year and gave Messiah a little extra breathing room early in the match.
 
In the 24th minute, Trevor Swartz ran into the box and onto a through ball from Luke Groothoff. Swartz took one touch to get in on the keeper and knocked his shot into the left-side netting for a 4-0 lead at the midpoint of the half.
 
Messiah had other chances in the first half, including a Ben Lefever header off a corner that went in, but was called back for a foul. In total the Falcons attempted 18 shots in the opening half, putting 10 on goal. Messiah earned four corners while holding Widener to two shots and a corner.
 
The early offensive outburst gave Messiah a 4-0 lead at the half.
 
In the second half, Zackary Venus added a fifth goal for the Falcons in the 71st minute as the Falcons claimed the 5-0 victory.
 
The Falcons outshot the Pride 31-2 in the match, earning 13 corners against Widener's one.
 
What's Up Next
With the triumph, Messiah claims their 20th Conference Championship in program history and their 17th in the last 22 years. Messiah has earned the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament from the MAC Commonwealth. The Falcons, who will be making their 32nd appearance in the NCAA Tournament, will find out their First Round match-up on Monday afternoon when the bracket is released in a selection show on ncaa.com at 1:30 p.m.