Grantham, Pa (October 21, 2023) - Alvernia University (8-6-1, 4-1) fell to #1 Messiah University (15-0-1, 5-0) in a tight,1-0 contest Saturday night in a MAC Commonwealth men's soccer clash at Messiah. 

The Golden Wolves held the explosive Falcons, who average just under three goals per game, to just one goal but could not find the back of the net as Messiah took the 1-0 decision. 

The Golden Wolves came out firing in the first two minutes of the game and fired two shots at the Messiah goal. Zeke Zambrano fired a shot that was saved and the rebound fell to Evan Bauer who fired a shot that was blocked. 

The Falcons recorded two shots that we blocked before grabbing the lead in the 25th minute when Ben Lefever found Matt McDonald who chipped the ball over Evan Solley's head and into the back of the net to go up 1-0. 

Messiah continued to apply the pressure with four shots in the next five minutes with Solley making two class saves to keep the deficit at one. 

The Golden Wolves recorded some offense in the 37th minute when Connor Kraycik fired a shot toward the upper left corner of the Messiah goal but Messiah's keeper Adam Carter tallied the save to preserve the 1-0 lead.

The Falcons threatened once more before the half when Stefan Leitzel fired a shot that was blocked and Ethan Gregory tallied a shot off of the rebound that was saved by Solley as Messiah took the 1-0 lead into the half. 

The Golden Wolves came out of the half and fired a shot on goal when Gabe Wunderlich fired a shot that was saved by Messiah's Carter. 

The Falcons threatened shortly after when Lefever fired a shot towards goal but Alvernia's Solley made a great diving save to deny Lefever and keep the deficit at one with 30 minutes remaining. 

Solley continued to be a brick wall in net for the Golden Wolves after Messiah's Gregory caught the ball on the volley and ripped his shot toward the top right corner but Solley made yet another acrobatic save to deny the Falcons a second goal in the 67th minute. 

The Falcons sent two more shots toward the Golden Wolves goal in the final 15 minutes and held Alvernia to zero shots in the final 15 to secure the 1-0 victory. 

Solley tallied six saves in net for the Golden Wolves. 

Alvernia was led by Zambrano, Wunderlich and Kraycik who all had shots on goal and Bauer and Willson both fired shots but they were off target. 

The Golden Wolves are back in action on Tuesday when they host the Blazers of Hood College in a MAC Commonwealth matchup at 7:00 PM.