GRANTHAM, Pa. – The top-seeded Messiah men's soccer team advanced to their ninth-straight MAC Commonwealth Championship Match with a 2-0 victory over the fourth-seeded Stevenson Mustangs on Wednesday night. Stefan Leitzel and Isaac Schmitke netted goals off the bench late in the first half for Messiah while the Falcons' defense allowed just a single Mustangs shot in the match.
 
As mentioned, the Falcons advance to Saturday's MAC Championship Match against the third-seeded Widener Pride at 3:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field. The Pride defeated the Alvernia Golden Wolves 2-1 in the other semifinal on Wednesday night.
 
With the victory, Messiah improves to 18-0-1 on the season and will be looking tot claim their 20th conference title in program history.
 
First Half Action
The Mustangs attempted the first shot of the match, with Dean Martin sailing an attempt wide just 15 seconds after the opening touch. From there out, it was all Messiah. The Falcons offensive pressure was relentless, with possession remaining in the Mustangs' end for the bulk of the first half. Messiah looked to have a goal in the 22nd minute off a corner kick, but Matt McDonald's header was cleared off the line by a Stevenson defender and the match remained scoreless.
 
In the 35th minute, the Falcons would breakthrough off the head of Stefan Leitzel. Messiah effectively switched fields, getting the ball to Caleb Aldridge on the left side. Aldridge slipped a pass to Sam Phillips on the left wing for a one-time delivery to the back post. Stefan Leitzel's six-foot, five-inch frame was there for the header that went back to the left post for a 1-0 Messiah lead.
 
Less than three minutes later, the Falcons' lead doubled with Isaac Schmitke catching the Mustangs' keeper off balance with a left-footed shot from the top of the box on the right side. Schmitke hesitated to let traffic in front of him go through before bouncing his strike past a diving keeper. The result was a 2-0 Messiah lead on Schmitke's fourth goal of the season.
 
Scoreless Second Half
Messiah took the 2-0 lead into the second half and while they attempted nine shots after the break they were unable to expand their lead. The Falcons put five shots on frame in the second half, but they were all saved.
 
The Falcons' defense remained steadfast as Messiah earned the 2-0 victory to advance to the MAC Commonwealth Championship Match on Saturday.
 
Conference Title Match Preview
The Widener Pride will await the Falcons in the MAC Commonwealth Championship Match in a rematch of the 2022 Championship Match. A year ago, Messiah claimed a 5-0 victory with Cole Cristian scoring twice in the first five minutes of the match.
 
On Wednesday night, Widener earned a 2-1 victory over second-seeded Alvernia to punch their ticket to their second-straight Conference Title Game and just their third MAC Commonwealth Championship Match in program history. The Pride previous met the Falcons in 2022 (5-0 Messiah) and 2008 (7-0 Messiah).
 
Saturday's Conference Championship Game will be part of a doubleheader with the women. The men's soccer Championship Game will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field, following the women's game that is slated for 12:00 p.m.