2010 Spring Review


Grantham, PA — This past spring was busy for the members of the Messiah Men's Soccer team, as they looked to have a positive impact both on and off the field.

After School Program

Assistant Coach Aaron Faro spear headed a new endeavor for the program as he helped foster a relationship with an after school program. The players committed every Wednesday from 4:30-6:00pm the entire spring semester as they worked with young students from Somalia and Ethiopia. The first hour the players would break up into small groups to work on academic tutoring (Sophomores Derek Black and Jordan Sands pictured right). The last half hour was set aside for games, soccer, etc.

2010 Outreach Photo:

The Alumni Cup

The Alumni squad was made up of young recent alums (Matt Bills--above), but were coached by some more experienced alums (Dan Haines and Todd Suessmuth--in background)

The annual Alumni Cup was played on Shoemaker Field on Saturday, April 17 at 4:00 p.m. The alumni have had a great run this decade having gone undefeated since 2000, but last year they experienced a bit of setback as the varsity defeated them 5-0. This year the game was moved back to 4:00pm so we could hold an picnic afterwards that included current players and parents as well as alums and their families.

The match was played in very strong winds that made it difficult for both teams at times, but the quality of play was still high. After a 1-0 lead at the half, the varsity team scored two more goals to post a 3-0 victory and keep hold of the highly sought after Alumni Cup.

ALUMNI VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

2010 Alumni Cup Photo:

Alumni Present: Aaron Schwartz ('02), Troy Sauer ('03), Ben Jordan ('08), JD Binger ('09), Patrick Lenehan ('05), Todd Suessmuth ('90), Dan Haines ('84), Hayden Woodworth ('03), Jake Sauer ('00), Brownie Vincent ('04), Brad McCarty ('93), Matt Bills ('04), David McClellan ('04), Ryan Edwards ('08), Dan Visser ('08), Aaron Faro ('03), Andy Rosamilia ('07), Matt Snavely ('03), Kevin Schneider ('03), Eric Frey ('08), Jon Brubaker ('06), Matt Dorsey ('09), Jason Webb ('98), Dan Wagner ('07), Marlin Benedict ('45).

Spring Contest--Georgetown University

The team traveled to Washington DC to play Big East power Georgetown University for their spring contest. The match was played on North Kehoe Field, the Hoyas home for men's and women's soccer.

The Falcons were able to move the ball well the first five minutes, but then Georgetown's high pressure and quick ball movement started to have an impact. Just ten minutes into the game the Hoyas drew a penalty kick that was converted for a 1-0 lead. The match settled down a bit with both teams creating quality scoring opportunities.

In the second half, the Falcons continued to find open players in transition and out wide. Ten minutes into the half Nick Thompson scored with his head off a Sean Cunningham cross to tie the game. Both teams moved the ball well offensively, but it was Josh Wood who followed up a Geoff Pezon shot off the crossbar to grab the lead 2-1.

The game finished with a 2-1 Messiah victory, but it was an entertaining match that saw both teams create excellent scoring opportunities through quality ball movement.

GEORGETOWN VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

The Messiah Men's Soccer team experienced a positive spring semester, but is looking forward to this coming fall. The 2010 soccer season will begin with back to back games as the Falcons will host Hobart College on Friday, September 3 at 7:00pm followed by SUNY-Fredonia on Saturday, September 4 at 7:00pm. The full 2010 schedule will be released shortly.