GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Saturday evening, the Messiah University men's soccer team used a four-goal offensive surge to defeat the Mustangs of Stevenson University, 4-0 in the MAC Commonwealth opener. The Falcons opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a goal from
Elijah Perry from
Sam Phillips. The Falcons continued on the attack and earned a penalty kick goal in the 35th minute to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead at the break. After some back-and-forth play, the Falcons added to their lead in the 75th minute with a penalty kick goal from
Matt Schumacher. The Falcons added to their lead three minutes later with a goal from
Davis Rody by Perry to give the Falcons the 4-0 win.
Up next, the Falcons travels to Frederick, Md. to take on the Blazers of Hood College on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
First Half
The Falcons looked to start the game strong on the offensive end.
Grant Shreiner ripped a shot on goal, but a Mustang defender made the save to keep the Falcons off the board. The Falcons continued to pressure the Mustang defense in the 11th minute. Shreiner sent a pass towards the right side of the box to
Sam Phillips. Phillips made a move towards the near post and sent a pass into the center of the box.
Elijah Perry then volleyed the pass into the back of the goal to give the Falcons the 1-0 lead. After some back-and-forth play, the Falcons earned a penalty kick in the 35th minute.
Owen Resch sent the shot into the bottom-right corner to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead at the half.
Second Half
The Falcons looked to extend their lead early in the second half with a shot on goal from
Owen Resch and
Grant Shreiner, but each shot was saved to keep the Falcons lead at 2-0 in the 58th minute. The Falcons added to their lead with a penalty kick goal from
Matt Schumacher to give the Falcons a 3-0 lead in the 75th minute. The Falcons continued on the attack in the 78th minute.
Cam Holiday sent a pass towards the right side of the box to
Elijah Perry. Perry stopped the ball just before it crossed the end line and sent a pass towards the middle to
Davis Rody. Rody ripped a shot into the back of the goal to give the Falcons the 4-0 lead. Neither team added a goal in the final 12 minutes, and the Falcons earned the 4-0 win.
Stats
Elijah Perry led the Falcons with a goal and an assist.
Owen Resch,
Davis Rody, and
Matt Schumacher each scored a goal.
Sam Phillips added an assist. The Falcons totaled 21 shots with nine shots on goal. The Mustangs tallied 11 shots with one shot on goal. Messiah earned 11 corners to Stevenson's one.
Killian O'Reilly earned the win in goal with one save.
Next
The Falcons travels to Frederick, Md. to take on the Blazers of Hood College on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
