Box Score GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University men's soccer team came up just short in a tense battle between two nationally ranked teams, falling 3-2 in overtime to visiting Messiah College on Friday night.
Forward Colby Thomas (sr. Kingsley, PA/Mountain View) scored the game-winner 2:21 into the second overtime period off a pass from forward Danny Brandt (jr. Annapolis, MD/DeMantha Catholic). The Profs (5-2) are ranked 24
th in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll while the Falcons (5-1) are 16
th.
Messiah controlled play in the opening half, outshooting Rowan, 6-1 and tallying the only goal in the period. Thomas had a shot that was saved by Profs' goalkeeper
Kyle Dennis (jr. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) but midfielder Kirby Robbins (sr. Randleman, NC/Wesleyan Christian Academy) jumped on the rebound and gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead.
Rowan rebounded and looked like a different team after the break, playing aggressively and generating more chances against the Messiah defense. The Profs tied the score at the 57:30 mark. Back
Matt Fahey (fr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) had a throw-in. Forward
Travis Ward (sr. New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) deflected the throw and forward
Shane Doherty (jr. Delran, NJ/Delran) headed the ball in for his fourth goal of the year.
Ward gave Rowan a 2-1 lead just over six minutes later when he collected a rebound off of a free kick by Doherty. The Falcons pressed in the final minutes and were able to find the equalizer with 4:38 remaining. Midfielder Micah Fitz (so. Bristow, VA/Homeschool) found midfielder Samuel Ruiz Plaza (jr. Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) in the box and Ruiz Plaza beat Dennis to the left side.
The Profs had a 2-1 shot advantage in the first 10-minute overtime period, including a penalty kick, but could not find the back of the net. Messiah had the only shot in the second overtime with Thomas' golden goal.
Dennis ended the contest with five saves while Falcons' goalie Connor Bell (jr. High Point, NC/Wesleyan Christian Academy) stopped six shots.
The men's soccer team begins conference play on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. versus New Jersey City University.
