GRANTHAM, Pa. – The eighteenth-ranked Messiah men's soccer team earned a 4-1 win over the Carthage College Firebirds on Saturday night. Kyle Spodnik got the scoring started on the night, giving the Falcons the lead in the eighteenth minute. Messiah took the lead into the half, but it was Carthage who got the equalizer five minutes into the second half. Josh Bratager responded three minutes later, finishing off a Sam Phillips cross to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead. Davis Pagett and Patrick Lee each added a goal to give the Falcons a 4-1 lead in the 60th minute, a score that would remain for the rest of the contest.

Up next, the Falcons host the Dickinson College Red Devils at Shoemaker Field on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 7:00 p.m.

First Half
The Firebirds started the game out strong, forcing Adam Carter into making two saves within the first five minutes. The Falcons then started to mount some pressure, firing a few shots off target before Kyle Spodnik found the net after a miscommunication by the Carthage defense, picking off the ball and slotting it into an empty net. The Falcons continued to mount pressure on the Firebird defense throughout the half, finishing with nine shots headed into the half, but could not add to their 1-0 lead.

Second Half
The Firebirds started the second half strong, scoring off a corner just over five minutes into the second half to tie the game 1-1. After the equalizer, Messiah responded quickly, with Josh Bratager's first goal of the season off a cross from the Falcons opening goal scorer, Kyle Spodnik. The Falcons added a third just under five minutes later, with Sam Phillips delivering a cross into the box, which was nicely finished off by Davis Pagett. The Falcons ended the scoring for the night just one minute and eight seconds later, with Patrick Lee tallying his fourth goal of the season, off a Matt Schumacher assist.

The Falcons reinforcements held off the Firebirds for the rest of the contest, seeing out the 4-1 victory.

Stats
Kyle Spodnik led the Falcons with a goal and an assist. Josh Bratager, Patrick Lee, and Davis Pagett all added a goal apiece. Sam Phillips tallied one assist. Matt Schumacher recorded his first assist of the season. The Falcons ended the contest with 14 shots and five shots on goal. The Firebirds totaled 14 shots and 10 shots on goal. Messiah earned six corner kicks, with Carthage College only tallying one. Adam Carter earned the win on the night and tallied a career-high nine saves. Carter was unbelievable in net, making key save after key save, allowing the Falcons to keep their lead throughout the game.

Next
The Falcons host the Dickinson Red Devils at Shoemaker Field on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.