READING, Pa. – On Wednesday evening, the Messiah University men's soccer team defeated the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University, 3-0. The game right from the start looked like it was going to be a tight battle throughout. The Falcons broke through in the 32nd minute with a goal from Patrick Lee by Isaac Schmitke to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead headed into the break. The tight battle continued throughout the game, until the last five minutes. In the 86th minute, Patrick Lee scored his second goal of the night from Grant Shreiner to extend the Falcons lead to two. Just two minutes later, Josh Bratager headed in a goal from Kyle Spodnik to put the stamp on the Falcons 3-0 win.
 
Up next, the Falcons return to Shoemaker Field to take on the Mustangs of Stevenson University on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

First Half
The Falcons opened the game on the offense with Kyle Spodnik sending a shot on goal, but the shot was saved by the Alvernia goalkeeper to keep the Falcons off the board. In the 17th minute, the Alvernia attack got their first shot on goal, but Adam Carter made the save on the attempt on goal to keep the game scoreless. The Falcons continued the attack after the Golden Wolves chance with Spodnik and Davis Pagett each getting a shot on goal, but each attempt was saved by the Alvernia goalkeeper. The Falcons finally looked to get a shot past the Golden Wolves goalkeeper in the 32nd minute. After Jordan Gilman forced a turnover in the midfield, the Falcons went on the attack. Davis Pagett then sent a pass towards the right corner to Isaac Schmitke. Schmitke then sent a cross towards the back post and Patrick Lee volleyed the ball into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Each team got a couple more shots on goal but could not find the back of the goal and the score remained 1-0 at the half.
 
Second Half
The Falcons got an early scoring opportunity in the second half with a Grant Shreiner shot, but the shot was saved by the Golden Wolves goalkeeper. The Golden Wolves then went on the attack looking for the equalizing goal. The Golden Wolves sent a couple of shots on goal, but Adam Carter was a brick wall in goal for the Falcons and they kept their 1-0 lead with 30 minutes remaining in the game. Each team continued to send shots on goal with Ethan Gregory adding a shot on goal for the Falcons, but each goalkeeper stood tall to keep the score at 1-0. That all changed in the 86th minute. After the Falcons quickly played a free kick just past midfield, Grant Shreiner got a through ball headed into the right side of the box. Shreiner then sent a pass across the middle to Patrick Lee and Lee tapped the ball past the Alvernia goalkeeper to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead. The Falcons offense then added another goal in the 88th minute with Kyle Spodnik send a cross into the box and Josh Bratager headed the ball into the back of the goal to put a stamp on the Falcons 3-0 win.
 
Stats
Patrick Lee led the Falcons with two goals. Josh Bratager added a goal. Isaac Schmitke, Grant Shreiner, and Kyle Spodnik each tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled 17 shots with 12 shots on goal. The Golden Wolves tallied 14 shots with eight shots on goal. The Falcons earned nine corner kicks to Alvernia's three. Adam Carter earned the win in goal for the Falcons and made eight saves.
 
Next
The Falcons return to Shoemaker Field to take on the Mustangs of Stevenson University on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m.