WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – On Wednesday evening, the Messiah University men's soccer team used a strong first half to defeat the Warriors of Lycoming College, 2-1. After a strong start offensively, the Falcons broke through on the scoreboard with a goal from
Elijah Perry by
Owen Resch to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute. Just a couple minutes later, the Falcons added to their lead with a goal from
Jalen Keller by Resch to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead at the half. The Warriors opened the second half with a goal to cut the Falcons lead to 2-1 in the 54th minute. The Warriors final two shot in the game were both saved by
Killian O'Reilly to give the Falcons the 2-1 win.
Up next, the Falcons host the Mustangs of Stevenson University in the 2026 MAC Commonwealth opener on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 p.m.
First Half
After some back-and-forth play,
Grant Shreiner and
Owen Resch each sent shots on goal, but the Warriors' goalkeeper made a pair of saves to keep the game scoreless in the 24th minute. The Falcons continued the pressure with shots on goal from
Chase England and
Kyle Spodnik, but each shot was saved to keep the Falcons off the board. The Falcons though broke through on the scoreboard with a goal from
Elijah Perry by
Owen Resch to take a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute. Just a few minutes later,
Jalen Keller scored from Resch to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead. The Warriors sent a shot on goal before the half, but
Killian O'Reilly made the save to keep the Falcons lead at 2-0 headed into the break.
Second Half
The Warriors opened the second half strong with a goal in the 54th minute to reduce the Falcons lead to 2-1. The Warriors continued on the attack and looked to tie the game a minute later, but
Killian O'Reilly made a save to keep the Falcons one-goal lead. The Falcons looked to extend their lead with a pair of shots on goal from
Owen Resch and
Kyle Spodnik, but each shot was saved to keep the game at 2-1 in the 62nd minute. The Warriors quickly countered with a shot on goal, but O'Reilly made another save to hold the Falcons lead. The Falcons defense did not allow another shot on goal the rest of the way and Messiah earned the 2-1 win.
Stats
Jalen Keller and
Elijah Perry each scored for the Falcons.
Owen Resch tallied two assists. The Falcons totaled 21 shots with seven shots on goal. The Warriors tallied seven shots with four shots on goal. Messiah earned seven corners to Lycoming's two.
Killian O'Reilly earned the win in goal for the Falcons and made three saves.
Next
The Falcons host the Mustangs of Stevenson University in the 2026 MAC Commonwealth opener on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 p.m.
