GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 1 Messiah men's soccer team scored two first-half goals on a free kick and a penalty kick to takedown the Lycoming Warriors in a physical battle on Shoemaker Field. In the 10th minute, Sam Phillips finished off a double-assisted free kick from Ben Vollmer and Matt McDonald. Then in the 37th minute, the Falcons earned a penalty kick after a handball in the box. Josh Bratager stepped to the spot and found the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
 
Messiah controlled possession in the match with a 20-6 advantage in shots. The Falcons put eight attempts on frame while holding the Warriors to just a pair of shots on goal.
 
With the victory, Messiah improves to 8-0-1 on the season and will be back in action on Saturday when they begin the MAC Commonwealth slate with a trip to Albright College at 7:00 p.m.
 
Scoring Off Set Pieces
Messiah scored twice in the opening half with both of their tallies coming on set pieces in the 10th and 37th minutes. The first of the two scores came off a free kick from the Falcons. After a foul was committed against the Falcons right in front of the Lycoming bench, Messiah had a free kick from about 40 yards out. From the left side, Ben Vollmer delivered the ball into the box on the right side, finding Matt McDonald. His header redirected the feed toward the penalty spot where Sam Phillips saw waiting. A touch from Phillips was all the feed would need as it found the back the net for a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute.
 
The Falcons looked to add to their lead with shots from Ben Lefever in the 15th and 33rd minute saved. With the match still level, Lycoming had a couple of quality looks as they serced for the equalizer. Adam Carter made key saves in the 20th and 32nd minutes to keep the Falcons in front.
 
In the 37th minute, a shot from the Falcons would find the hand of a Warriors defender in the box, resulting in a penalty kick. Josh Bratager stepped to the spot and swiftly gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead with under nine minutes remaining in the half.
 
Scoreless Second Half
Messiah held their 2-0 lead into the break, but that was all the offense they would need to earn a victory on Wednesday night. Messiah did hold an 8-2 advantage in shots in the second half, but were unable to add any additional insurance.
 
On the night, Messiah attempted 20 shots against six for the Warriors. The Falcons also out cornered the Warriors 5-2 in the match.
 
What's Up Next
With the victory, Messiah improves to 8-0-1 on the season and will begin conference play this weekend when they travel to Albright for a MAC Commonwealth match at 7:00 p.m. in Reading, Pa.