GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Friday evening, No. 25 Messiah University men's soccer fell in the season opener against the Royals of the University of Scranton, 2-0. The Royals scored two goals in the first half to take a 2-0 lead headed into the break. The Falcons out shot the Royals in the first half, 10-6, but could not find the back of the net. The Falcons again pushed the pace in the second half, but the Royals defense did not allow any Falcon goals and earned the 2-0 win.
Up next, the Falcons host No. 17 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.
First Half
The Royals started the game strong with a couple of early shots. Scranton kept the momentum and tallied their goal of the game off a free kick in the ninth minute to take an early 1-0 lead. The Falcons then started to go on the attack with two shots on goal from
Davis Pagett and
Patrick Lee, but each shot was saved by Royals' goalkeeper. The Falcons best chance early on came from the foot of Pagett, but his shot went off the left post and the Falcons still trailed 1-0. After another Falcons shot, this time from
Ethan Quadrini was saved, the Royals went back on the attack. The Royals scored off a free kick just outside of the box to extend their lead to 2-0 at the break.
Second Half
The Royals started the second half on the attack with a shot on goal, but
Kessler Forrest made the save and kept the score at 2-0. The Falcons then started to put the pressure on the Royals defense with a
Sam Phillips shot on goal, but the Scranton goalkeeper made the save. After some back-and-forth play, the Falcons looked to get some final chances in the 86th minute.
Patrick Lee and
Sam Phillips both got shots on goal, but again the Scranton goalkeeper made the saves and the Royals held on to the 2-0 win.
Stats
The Falcons tallied 18 shots with seven shots on goal. Scranton totaled 11 shots with four shots on goal. The Falcons totaled seven corner kicks to Scranton's two.
Kessler Forrest started in goal for the Falcons and made two saves. The Scranton goalkeeper made seven saves to earn the shutout.
Next
The Falcons host No. 17 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.
