SCRANTON, Pa. – On Tuesday evening, the Messiah University men's soccer team fell to the seventeenth-ranked Royals of the University of Scranton, 1-0 in the 2026 season opener. Both teams played tight defense in the first half, with the Falcons providing the lone shot on goal in the ninth minute. The Royals broke the scoreless tie in the 57th minute to take a 1-0 lead. The Royals held their 1-0 lead through the final 33 minutes to hand the Falcons the 1-0 loss in the season opener.
Killian O'Reilly earned the start in goal for the Falcons and made one save.
Up next, the Falcons travel to Steubenville, Ohio to take on the Barons of Franciscan University on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1:00 p.m.
First Half
The Falcons got an early scoring opportunity with a shot on goal from
Grant Shreiner, but the shot was saved to keep the game scoreless in the ninth minute. Both defenses closed the first half strong with no shots on goals allowed for the remainder of the half.
Second Half
The Royals got on the board early in the second half with a goal in the 57th minute to take a 1-0 lead. The Royals continued the attack and looked to add to their lead in the 79th minute, but the
Killian O'Reilly made a save to keep the Falcons within one. The Falcons could not find the back of the net to tie the game, and the Royals earned the 1-0 win.
Stats
Killian O'Reilly earned the start in goal for the Falcons and made one save.
Grant Shreiner tallied the Falcons lone shot on goal. The Falcons totaled five shots with one shot on goal. The Royals tallied 11 shots with two shots on goal. The Falcons earned five corners to the Royals two.
Next
The Falcons travel to Steubenville, Ohio to take on the Barons of Franciscan University on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1:00 p.m.
