GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Wednesday evening, the Messiah University men's soccer team used a strong offensive performance to defeat the Chargers of Lancaster Bible College, 6-3. The Falcons opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a goal from
Kyle Spodnik by
Elijah Perry. The Falcons added to lead four minutes later with a goal from
Owen Resch by Perry. The Falcons added another with the second goal on the half from Spodnik from
Sam Phillips to push the Falcons lead to three. Each team scored a goal to close out the first half, with
Chase England scoring for the Falcons from
Gianni Pezzino to give the Falcons a 4-1 lead at the break. Each team scored two goals in the second half with
Jalen Keller and Resch scoring for the Falcons to give Messiah the 6-3 win.
Up next, the Falcons travel to Fredericksburg, Va. to take on the Eagles of Mary Washington on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 1:00 p.m.
First Half
The Falcons looked to open strong with a free kick in the fifth minute.
Elijah Perry sent a shot on goal that went off the Chargers' goalkeepers' hands and the ball bounced in front of the goal.
Kyle Spodnik followed the shot and sent the rebound into the back of the net to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Just four minutes later, the Falcons looked to continue to add to their lead.
Elijah Perry sent a long cross from the right side of the box all the way over to the left side.
Owen Resch gathered the cross, made a move past a defender, and ripped a shot that ricocheted off the right post and into the back of the goal to put the Falcons lead to two. The Falcons looked to continue their offensive surge in the 14th minute.
Sam Phillips sent a cross into the box, that deflected off a Chargers' defender and right into the feet of Spodnik. Spodnik then ripped a shot into the back of the net, for his second goal of the half, to give the Falcons a 3-0 lead. The Falcons added another goal with
Chase England scoring from
Gianni Pezzino to push the Falcons lead to four in the 25th minute. The Chargers scored a goal in the 38th minute to cut the Falcons lead to 4-1 at the half.
Second Half
The Falcons looked to continue to roll on offense in the 56th minute.
Kyle Spodnik slotted a pass towards the right post and
Jalen Keller sent a one-timer into the back of the goal to extend the Falcons lead to 5-1. The Falcons added another goal in the 60th minute of a penalty kick from
Owen Resch. The Chargers scored two goals to close out the game and put the final score at 6-3.
Stats
Kyle Spodnik led the Falcons with two goals and an assist.
Owen Resch scored two goals.
Elijah Perry tallied two assists.
Chase England and
Jalen Keller each scored a goal.
Gianni Pezzino and
Sam Phillips each added an assist. The Falcons totaled 29 shots with 12 shots on goal. The Chargers tallied six shots with four shots on goal. The Falcons earned nine corner kicks to the Chargers' one.
Killian O'Reilly earned the start in goal and made one save.
Samuel Godoy also earned time in goal for the Falcons.
Next
The Falcons travel to Frederiksberg, Va. to take on the Eagles of Mary Washington on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 1:00 p.m.
