FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah University men's soccer team used two first half goals from
Kyle Spodnik to defeat the Eagles of the University of Mary Washington, 2-0. The Falcons opened the scoring in the third minute with a goal from
Kyle Spodnik. The Falcons continued to pressure on the Eagles defense and Spodnik scored his second goal of the first half from
Owen Resch to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead in the 16th minute. Neither team could find the back of the net in the remaining 30 minutes to keep the score at 2-0 headed into the half. The Eagles in the second half totaled four shots on goal with three saves from
Killian O'Reilly to keep the 2-0 shutout win.
Up next, the Falcons travel to Williamsport, Pa. to take on the Warriors of Lycoming College on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7:00 p.m.
First Half
The Falcons looked to take an early lead in the third minute.
Matt Griffin threw a long-in into the box. The ball bounced off a pair of Mary Washington defenders and off the post and right into the foot of
Kyle Spodnik. Spodnik sent then one-timer into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Falcons continued on the attack in the 15th minute.
Owen Resch dribbled into the left side of the box towards the near post. Resch then slotted a pass into the center of the box and Spodnik volleyed a shot into the back of the net to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead. The Falcons added shots on goal from
Gianni Pezzino,
Sam Phillips, and Resch, but each shot was saved to keep the Falcons lead to 2-0 at the break.
Second Half
The Falcons opened the second half strong with a shot on goal from
Jalen Keller, but an Eagles' defender made a team save to keep the score at 2-0 in the 54th minute. Just five minutes later, the Eagles went on the attack and sent a shot on goal, but
Killian O'Reilly made the save to keep the Falcons lead at two. The Eagles went back on the attack in the 76th minute with a pair of shots on goal, but O'Reilly made a save and the Falcons had a team save to keep the Eagles off the board. O'Reilly made one final save in the 88th minute to keep the Falcons shutout and give the Falcons the 2-0 win.
Stats
Kyle Spodnik led the Falcons with two goals.
Owen Resch tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled nine shots with six shots on goal. The Eagles tallied 14 shots with four shots on goal. The Falcons earned all five corners in the game.
Killian O'Reilly earned the start and made three saves in goal for the Falcons.
Next
The Falcons travel to Williamsport, Pa. to take on the Warriors of Lycoming College on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7:00 p.m.
