YORK, Pa. – On Tuesday evening, the Messiah University men's soccer team used an early goal from Sam Phillips and three second half saves from Kessler Forrest to defeat the Spartans of York College, 1-0. The Falcons got on the board early with a goal by Sam Phillips from Gabe Redcay to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. The Falcons sent two more shots on goal but could not add to their lead and the game remained 1-0 at the half. The Spartans sent 11 shots and three shots on goal in the second half, but Kessler Forrest made all three saves to earn the clean sheet, and the Falcons earned the 1-0 win.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Blazers of Hood College on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. At halftime there will be an honoring of the 2000 Men's Soccer team who won the first National Championship in program history 25 years ago.
 
First Half
After some back-and-forth play, the Falcons looked for an early chance to get on the board. Jalen Keller ripped a shot on goal, and the York goalkeeper made the save, but the Falcons earned a corner kick. Gabe Redcay sent the ball in front of the goal and Sam Phillips skied up and headed the ball into the back of the net to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. The Falcons continued to put pressure on the Spartans defense with a Sam Phillips shot, but the shot rang off the post and the score remained 1-0 in the 18th minute. The Falcons sent a shot on goal from Jonathan Kidd and Grant Shreiner in the remaining 27 minutes of the second half, but each shot was saved to keep the Falcons lead at 1-0 headed into the break.
 
Second Half
The Spartans started the half looking for the tying goal. In the 54th minute, the Spartans sent a shot on goal, but Kessler Forrest made the save to keep the Falcons one-goal lead. The Falcons got their best chance in the half in the 71st minute. Elijah Perry headed a ball towards the goal, but the Spartans goalkeeper made the save to keep the game at 1-0. The Spartans then went on the attack and sent a shot on goal, but Forrest made the save to keep the Falcons lead in the 76th minute. Just two minutes later, the Spartans sent another shot on goal and Forrest again came up big with another save to keep the Falcons lead. The Falcons defense did not allow another shot on goal the rest of the way and the Falcons earned a hard fought 1-0 win.
 
Stats
Sam Phillips scored the game-winning goal for the Falcons in the 14th minute. Gabe Redcay tallied the assist. The Falcons totaled nine shots with five shots on goal. The Spartans tallied 14 shots with three shots on goal. The Falcons earned seven corner kicks to the Spartans' five. Kessler Forrest earned the win in goal for the Falcons and made three timely saves in the second half to hold off the Spartans on the scoreboard.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Blazers of Hood College on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. At halftime there will be an honoring of the 2000 Men's Soccer team who won the first National Championship in program history 25 years ago.