GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Wednesday evening, the sixteenth-ranked Messiah University men's soccer team held off a late comeback attempt from the Spartans of York College to win, 3-2. The Falcons opened the game strong with an unbelievable goal from
Owen Resch in the first minute to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Spartans answered back with a goal in the 39th minute to tie the game at the break. The Falcons broke the tie with a goal in the first minute from
Owen Resch by
Sam Phillips to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead. In the 77th minute, the Falcons added to their lead with a goal from
Sam Phillips by
Cam Holiday. Less the 30 seconds later, the Spartans answered back with a goal to cut the Falcons lead to 3-2. The Spartans added one more shot on goal in the final 13 minutes, but
Killian O'Reilly made one final save to give the Falcons the 3-2 win.
Up next, the Falcons travel to Aston, Pa. to take on the Knights of Neumann University on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 p.m.
First Half
The Falcons looked to take an early lead in the opening minute of the game.
Owen Resch got the ball in the corner and split two defenders. Resch then ripped a shot into the top right corner to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Falcons looked for another chance to add to their lead in the 17th minute with a shot on goal from
Matt Griffin, but the shot was saved to keep the score at 1-0. The Spartans got their first chance on goal in the 24th minute, but
Killian O'Reilly made the save to keep the Falcons lead at one. The Spartans tied the game with a goal in the 39th minute. Neither team added a goal before the break and the score remained tied at the half.
Second Half
The Falcons looked to take back the lead in the first minute of the second half.
Sam Phillips dribbled the ball towards the right corner of the box and sent a low cross through a pair of York defenders. Resch made a touch and ripped his second goal of the night to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead. After some back-and-forth play, the Falcons looked to extend their lead in the 77th minute. The Falcons pushed into the attacking third and
Matt Schumacher got the ball the top of the box. He sent a pass to the right corner to
Cam Holiday. Holiday slotted a pass into the middle of the box and
Sam Phillips sent a one-timer into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 3-1 lead. The Spartans though quickly responded with a goal just 27 seconds later to cut the Falcons lead to 3-2. The Spartans added one more shot on goal in the final 13 minutes, but
Killian O'Reilly made one final save to give the Falcons the 3-2 win.
Stats
Owen Resch led the Falcons with two goals.
Sam Phillips totaled a goal and an assist.
Cam Holiday added an assist. The Falcons totaled 20 shots with seven shots on goal. The Spartans tallied 14 shots with six shots on goal. The Falcons earned eight corner kicks to the Spartans' two.
Killian O'Reilly earned the win in goal with four saves.
Next
The Falcons travel to Aston, Pa. to take on the Knights of Neumann University on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 p.m.
