Grantham, Pa. (Oct. 13, 2021) - After holding #6 Messiah University (10-0-2, 4-0) to just one goal in the first half, Alvernia University (9-3, 3-1) could not fend off an offensive barrage by the Falcons in the second half as Messiah scored three goals for a 4-0 win over Alvernia on Wednesday night in MAC Commonwealth men's soccer action.

Messiah's offensive push started with its first shot in the fifth minute, which went high right. 

Messiah maintained steady possession for most of the first half. But, Alvernia's defense, behind keeper Ben Solsky,  kept Messiah off the board. Messiah fired off 15 shots in the first 40 minutes - with shots going off the post and crossbar, being saved, or being blocked by Alvernia's defense.

But, in the 41st minute, Messiah finally broke through. Working off a free kick attempt by Messiah's Caleb Aldridge, Messiah's Trevor Swartz broke off the line and kicked Aldridge's free attempt in to put Messiah up 1-0.

Alvernia was able to get two shots off in the first half, but the first attempt was blocked and the second was off target. Messiah went into the half leading 1-0.

Messiah doubled its lead in the 61st minute when Luke Groothoff snuck a shot in net just inside the right post.

The Falcons wouldn't stop there as Luke Groothoff's brother Jonathan got in on the action with a goal of his own in the 68th minute that got by Solsky in nearly the exact same spot inside the right post as Luke's.

Messiah extended its lead to 4-0 when Stefan Leitzel continued to work Solsky just inside the right post and, like the Groothoffs, snuck a shot in outside the reach of Solsky to seal the 4-0 win.

Alvernia's Rasheed Thomas had an opportunity to end the shutout bid, but his shot in the 87th minute was blocked by the Falcons as Messiah came away with the 4-0 win.

Solsky played 81 minutes and made seven saves for Alvernia.

The Golden Wolves take a break from their MAC Commonwealth schedule this weekend to host Rosemont on Saturday.