READING, Pa. – The Albright men's soccer team battled No. 13 Messiah under the lights at Shirk Stadium on Friday evening, but two first-half goals secured a win for the visiting Falcons.

The Lions will fall to 5-12 on the season and Messiah will remain perfect in MAC Commonwealth play, 7-0.

The first 18 minutes of the game remained scoreless.  Messiah senior Micah Fitz took a strong cross from the right side that found the foot of first-year Ben Lefever in front of the left net for a 1-0 lead.  Five minutes later, Albright found themselves in front of Messiah's net to earn a corner kick.  Just as a loose ball came out, junior Brendan Hanratty blasted in a shot, but senior goalkeeper Nate Flanders got a hand on it.  A goal by Messiah first-year Chad Vrolijk from first-year Matt McDonald left the score 2-0 at half.

The highlight of the second half came at 75:42 when sophomore Billy Hanratty was fouled in the box and the Lions received a penalty kick.  Again, Flanders got in front of the ball and Billy Hanratty was unable to convert.  In the second half, Messiah added 11 more shots to Albright's three.  The Lions and senior goalkeeper Billy Mullen held the Falcons for a final score of 2-0. 

Mullen faced 23 shots in total, tallying seven saves and two additional team saves were made by Lions' defenders.  Flanders came up big with two saves for the Falcons for his 13^th win and a shutout.  Albright earned four corner kicks to stick with Messiah's five.

Messiah led 23-7 in shots and 11-2 in shots on goal, while junior Quinlan Poley and Billy Hanratty paced the Lions with two shots apiece.  Messiah junior Trevor Goodling registered four shots on the night to lead the team.

The Albright men's soccer team will face Hood on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. for the last home game of the season.  The Lions will also celebrate their senior student-athletes at this time.