GRANTHAM, PA – The York College men's soccer squad dropped a 4-0 MAC Commonwealth match to #2 Messiah University on Tuesday night in Grantham, PA.
The Falcons got three second half goals to blow the game open after a tightly contested first half. The Falcons remain unbeaten as they improve to 12-0-1 overall and 3-0 in the MAC Commonwealth. The Spartans fall to 6-4-2 and 1-2 in the league. The game was the first for the Spartans after the passing of junior Drew Ruehlicke.
 
How It Happened
• The Spartans fired the opening salvo in the game with a Tyler Howlett shot less than two minutes into the game. The Falcons gained control of the play ten minutes into the game as they fired off five shots in an eight minute span with two of those shots coming on goal, forcing Spartan goalie Brady Bixler to make a pair of saves. The offense pace slowed over the next 25 minutes before the Falcons broke the scoreless tie. Caleb Aldridge played a ball into the box where Josh Bratager finished off the chance for the game's first goal.
• The Falcons out shot the Spartans 7-3 in the opening 45 minutes of play while Messiah had four corners to the Spartans' zero.
• Messiah needed just 4:06 into the second half to double their lead. Matt McDonald notched his 13^th goal of the year off a pass from Cole Cristian to make it 2-0 Falcons. Messiah added a third goal in the 62^nd minute on a Patrick Lee goal. Stefan Leitzel closed out the scoring with a goal off a pass from Zackary Venus in the 76^th minute of play.
• Messiah held a 13-3 margin in shots and an 8-1 margin in second half shots on goal. The Falcons also had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
 
Spartan Notes
The Falcons extended their series win streak to eight as the Spartans are now 5-19-3 all-time against Messiah … the Spartans got shut out for just the second time this year … the four goals allowed were the most by York this year … the 20 shots fired off by the Falcons is the most by a Spartan opponent this year … York has lost four of their last five matches … York has allowed ten of their 14 goals for the year over their last five games … York is now 2-2-1 on the road and York will play three of their final five regular season matches at home.  
 
Up Next
The Spartans return home to host Alvernia University in a MAC Commonwealth contest on Saturday at Graham Field. Game time is set for 3:00 pm. The Spartans will honor their senior class prior to the match against the Golden Wolves.