GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Saturday evening, the Messiah University men's soccer team defeated the Mustangs of Stevenson University, 2-0, to earn their seventh-straight MAC Commonwealth Championship. After many chances throughout the first half, the Falcons broke onto the scoreboard in the 37th minute with a goal from Jordan Gilman from Davis Rody. The second half was a back-and-forth affair as the Mustangs looked to tie the game. The Mustangs had their chances, but the Falcons defense held strong, and Davis Pagett scored a goal from Kyle Spodnik in the 87th minute to give the Falcons a two-goal lead. Kessler Forrest made a save in the 89th minute to keep the clean sheet and the Falcons earned the 2-0 win.
 
With the win, the Falcons earn an automatic bid to 2025 DIII Men's Soccer NCAA Tournament. The men's soccer selection show is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10 on NCAA.com.

First Half
The Mustangs got an early chance with a shot on goal, but Kessler Forrest made the save to keep the game scoreless in the seventh minute. The Falcons then went on the attack and Patrick Lee ripped a shot on goal, but the Mustangs goalkeeper made the save to keep the score tied. The Falcons kept the pressure on the Mustang defense in the 21st and Davis Pagett sent a shot towards the goal, but it rang off the left post. Just a couple minutes later, Kyle Spodnik sent a shot on goal, but the Stevenson goalkeeper stood tall once again to keep the Falcons from taking the lead. The Falcons looked to break the scoreless tie in the 37th minute. After some quick passing, Grant Shreiner switched the fields with a pass back to Matt Griffin. Griffin moved the ball forward to Isaac Schmitke. Schmitke passed it along the right side to Ethan Gregory and Gregory quickly flicked the ball to a streaking Davis Rody. Rody then took the open space in front and dribbled the ball into the box. Rody then slotted the ball across the box to Jordan Gilman, and he ripped a shot into the top-right corner to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead at the half.
 
Second Half
The Falcons earned a great chance to add to their lead in the 47th minute with a penalty kick. Patrick Lee took the kick, but the Mustangs' goalkeeper made a great save to keep Stevenson within one. The Falcons continued to put pressure on the Mustangs' defense and Sam Phillips sent a shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the shot was saved to keep the game at 1-0. The Mustangs started to pressure the Falcons defense and looked for a tying goal in the 69th minute. Stevenson sent a shot towards the goal, but the shot rang off the crossbar to prevent the Mustangs from tying the game. The Falcons then got another chance in the 77th minute off a Jalen Keller shot on goal, but the shot was saved, and the Falcons remained up only one. After another Mustang shot rang off the post in the 87th minute, the Falcons looked to start a counterattack. Jalen Keller got the ball in the midfield and quickly passed it out on the wing to Sam Phillips. Phillips then played a ball forward into the box to Kyle Spodnik. Spodnik quickly slotted the ball across the box and Davis Pagett ripped a one-timer, past the sliding Mustang goalkeeper, to extend the Falcons lead to 2-0 with just three minutes remaining. Kessler Forrest made one more save on the Mustangs last comeback efforts, and the Falcons earned the hard fought 2-0 victory.
 
Stats
Jordan Gilman earned MAC Commonwealth Tournament MVP after his game-winning goal in the first half. Davis Pagett added a goal. Davis Rody and Kyle Spodnik each tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled 19 shots with eight shots on goal. The Mustangs tallied nine shots with two shots on goal. The Falcons and Mustangs each earned seven corner kicks each. Kessler Forrest earned the win and made two saves.
 
Next
With the win, the Falcons earn an automatic bid to 2025 DIII Men's Soccer NCAA Tournament. The men's soccer selection show is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10 on NCAA.com.