MEDFORD, Mass. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah University men's soccer team fell to the top-ranked Jumbos of Tufts University, 4-1 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. The Falcons opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a goal from
Kyle Spodnik from
Davis Pagett to give the Falcons the early 1-0 lead. The Jumbos ended the half with two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead headed into the break. The Jumbos controlled most possession and scored two more goal to earn the 4-1 win.
First Half
The Falcons started the game strong and looked to score an early goal.
Sam Phillips got the ball near the midfield line and carried the ball into the offensive third. Phillips slotted a through ball towards the right side of the box.
Davis Pagett played a one-time ball across the ball towards
Kyle Spodnik. Spodnik made an incredible play, as he was falling, kicked the ball into the top-right corner to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. After some back-and-forth play, the Jumbos scored the equalizer in the 21st minute to tie game at one. In the 35th minute, the Jumbos looked to take a lead, but
Kessler Forrest made the save to keep the game tied. The Jumbos though scored in the 40th minute to take a 2-1 lead into the half.
Second Half
The Jumbos opened the second half with a goal in the first minute to take a 3-1 lead. In the 52nd minute,
Kessler Forrest made a save, but Jumbos scored off the rebound to extend their lead to 4-1. The tufts continued to push the pace on the offensive end and got two shots on goal, but
Kessler Forrest made a pair of saves to hold the score at 4-1.
Patrick Lee added a shot on goal for the Falcons, but Jumbos goalkeeper made the save to keep the final score at 4-1.
Stats
Kyle Spodnik scored the goal for the Falcons.
Davis Pagett tallied the assist. The Falcons totaled six shots with two shots on goal. Tufts totaled 20 shots with 11 shots on goal. The Jumbos earned five corner kicks to the Falcons' three.
Kessler Forrest started in goal for the Falcons and made six saves.
2025 Season Recap
The Falcons finished the 2025 season with a 13-8-2 overall record. The Falcons had a tough start to the season, but regrouped and won 10-straight games to win their seventh-straight conference championship game and advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the firs time since the 2021 season.
