Falcons Beat Hanna, Wilkes In Friday Night Showdown
Posted: 9/5/2008
Box Score | More Men's Soccer news
Freshman Derek Black provided the ultimate difference Friday with his two second-half goals.

Grantham, PA — Friday’s Messiah College men’s soccer home opener against Wilkes University was — above all else — dry.

Aside from a pair of clutch, second-half goals from freshman Derek Black en route to a Falcons’ 3-1 win, there may have been no aspect quite as newsworthy.

Citing the pending threat of Tropical Storm Hanna to the area, school officials bumped a game that was originally scheduled for Saturday evening to Friday night, a move that kept over 2,000 spectators dry for the game’s duration at Shoemaker Field.

After Black turned a 1-1 halftime tie into Messiah’s third win in as many attempts on the season, it was a happy night for the majority of those fans as well.

“I think we knew that this would be a tough game,” said Dave Brandt, Messiah head coach. “Wilkes has always been a tough opponent for us, and we knew it would be difficult to regroup and turn in a great performance coming off two big wins last weekend. I thought, for the most part, we responded well.”

Messiah — which moved up one slot to third in the latest NSCAA/Adidas Top 25 Poll — dominated on paper but had difficulties separating itself from Wilkes (1-2), as an early goal was rebutted by the visitors just 10 minutes before the intermission. Sophomore Geoff Pezon continued his remarkable pace of play in the game’s 20th minute, being in the right place at the right time for his sixth goal of the year. Senior Josh Sanders took one of Messiah’s 11 corner kicks just moments prior, sending a beautiful ball into the goal mouth that was batted around violently before settling at Pezon’s feet.

Sophomore Nick Thompson began celebrating before Pezon could even react, but it was for good reason: The midfielder calmly blasted the ball into the back of the net from point-blank range, giving Messiah (3-0) an early 1-0 advantage.

The majority of the period was played in Wilkes’ defensive half of the field, but a Colonels’ counter attack in the 35th minute proved costly for the hosts. A long clear was misplayed by a pressing Messiah defense just outside the 18-yard box, and Wilkes’ Greg Miller was able to get a one-on-one shot past Falcons’ junior keeper Jared Clugston at the 35:24 mark.

It was just one of four shots credited to Wilkes on the evening, compared to 27 attempts by the Falcons.

“Soccer gets you sometimes,” Brandt said. “We had most of the stats, but they got one and kept it tight. At halftime, we talked about continuing to rely on the things we do well. We didn’t make any tactical adjustments, but rather concerned ourselves that what we do is good enough to win.”

A bit over 23 minutes later, that sentiment was substantiated. Black made a run down the right-hand side of the field and was fed a perfectly-placed lag from Pezon. A few touches and some nifty footwork later, Black scored on a flat-angled blast that rocked the far-post upper 90.

“Wilkes’ goal gave them some energy and we found ourselves in a tough spot,” Brandt said. “I thought our guys responded to that.”

Black tacked on an insurance goal 20 minutes later, taking advantage of his team’s continual control of the possession game to fire a laser from just inside the 18 at the 88:05 mark.

“Derek, along with most of our freshmen, has played well from the start of the season,” Brandt said. “ We had chances right away (in the second half), but it took us awhile to get one. I thought we stayed poised throughout.”

Black and Pezon each attempted six shots on the night, with four of Black’s coming on goal. Pezon’s assist was his second on the young season, equaling the highest amount on the team.

Messiah will next return to the pitch Wednesday, when the club will travel to face the always-physical Gettysburg College side. Match time is set for 7 p.m.