XML Box Score Grantham, PA - Messiah College defeated Arcadia University 3-1 on Wednesday night to move to within one game of an undefeated regular-season in the Commonwealth Conference.
Ryan Lago,
Sheldon Myer, and
Jeremy Payne each tallied as the Falcons finished with a 33-1 advantage in shots.
The win pushed Messiah to 17-1 on the season, including 8-0 in the Commonwealth Conference.
The Falcons' first goal came on a moment of fortune in the 31st minute, as Daulton Rutter was unable to find space to clear a ball from the six-yard line.
Will Cochran took control of possession on the right side before crossing to the goal where it bounced to Rutter. He turned quickly to clear but pounded the ball off the chest of Lago and into the goal. The score seemed ironic since the Knights' extremely conservative defensive approach contributed to constant crowding inside the box.
The tally was both Lago's second of the season and second in the past four games.
Messiah held 13-0 and 7-0 advantages in shots and corners, respectively, through the first-half, but held just the 1-0 lead until the 52nd minute.
Sheldon Myer approached to 20 yards out in the midfield in search of a teammate, but then touched to his right side for a sharp strike on the ground from the top of the box that tucked inside the left post. Like Lago, it was his second goal of the season.
Myer's tally also proved to be the game-winner as Arcadia earned a goal back in the 79th minute on a penalty kick. The call was given after
Nathan Eagan tackled Michael Eric inside the left side of box, though Eric himself appeared to get away with a hold on Eagan a second earlier on his attack down the line against the run of play. Nevertheless, Alex Wells put through the penalty score for his sixth goal of the season.
With Arcadia now working frantically to tie the game, Messiah continued to create chances on the offensive end. With less than six minutes to play Ryan Lantzy earned a diving save on a shot from
Brian Ramirez and a kick save on a shot from
Jack Thompson in a span of just eight seconds, but could not stop a beautiful combination moments later that ended with a goal by Payne. Thompson started the play with a serve from the left side to the far post where
Joshua Wood centered the ball with a header. Payne ran onto the ball for a header of his own into the middle of the net to seal the win.
As mentioned, Messiah finished with a 33-1 advantage in shots-- the third time this season they've attempted 30-plus shots. It was also the 10th time the Falcons have held their opponent to two shots or less in a game.
Arcadia falls to 6-10-2, 2-5-1 with the loss.
Messiah will look to finish the Commonwealth regular-season with a perfect record when they travel to Albright College on Saturday, Nov. 2 to take on the Lions at 8:00 p.m.
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