Falcons Win Commonwealth Semi-Final
Posted: 3/12/2008
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Grantham, PA -- What took 91 minutes the first time Messiah played Albright only took 69 seconds as Mike Rinker (Hatfield, PA) scored an early goal in a 4-0 victory over the Lions. During the regular season the Falcons needed overtime to defeat Albright 1-0, but tonight it was easier for Messiah to find the back of the net. The Falcons advance to the Commonwealth Conference Championship game against Elizabethtown College on Saturday. The Blue Jays were the number three seed in the playoffs but easily defeated the number two seed Lycoming College 3-0 earlier today. The victory gives Messiah a record of 17-2 while the loss ends Albright's season as they finish the year at 8-9-2.

The game started off quickly in the scoring column as Rinker took a pass from Patrick Lenehan (Highland, IN) and beat the keeper for his seventh goal of the year. Lenehan tallied his team leading tenth assist of the year, but shortly thereafter was forced out of the remainder of the game due to an injury.

The Falcons were very average the remainder of the half as they struggled to find a rhythm. Albright's sweeper Martin Kootstra was an important part of that disruption as he collected numerous through balls played by Messiah. The first half ended 1-0 with Messiah taking 8 shots to the Lions 1 shot.

Less than six minutes into the second half senior Ben Jordan (Williamsport, MD) split two defenders inside the box and was taken down as he was awarded a penalty kick. Kai Kasiguran (Oakwood Village, OH) stepped up and coolly found the back of the net for his ninth goal of the campaign. The next thirty-seven minutes found Messiah at times looking good and creating opportunities and at other times unable to find the feet of their teammates. In the middle of the second half Kootstra, who had moved to forward, had an excellent opportunity to score but Falcon netminder Nick Blossey (Waterford, PA) smothered his shot at the top of the box.

In the 88th minute Mark Jeschke (Vienna, VA) was fouled but the official allowed the play to continue as Mark got up and passed the ball into the box. Dorsey was on the other end of the pass as he beat two defenders then dribbled past the goalkeeper to score into an empty net. A minute later Geoff Pezon (Blandon, PA) hammered a shot that Albright keeper Wendell Hannaford did well to get his low hand down to make the save. However, both Hannaford and his fellow defenders just looked at the ball as Dorsey ran onto it and put it in the back of the net to make it 4-0.

Dorsey led the Falcons with two goals on the day as he has scored three goals in the last two games. Messiah finished the match outshooting the Lions 38-4 and had more corners 7-4. Jared Clugston (Red Hill, PA) started the match in goal for the Falcons and recorded a single save while Blossey played in the second half and was forced to make 3 saves. Hannaford played a solid match for Albright as he recorded 7 saves on the night.

Messiah will be hosting the Commonwealth Conference championship game against Elizabethtown College on Saturday, November 3rd. The Blue Jays are the defending champions in the conference and it will be a battle on Saturday for the Falcons to take it back. The Messiah Women's soccer team will also be hosting the conference championship on Saturday. Starting times for either game has yet to be determined.