The annual marshmallow game between the MAC Commonwealth Conference’s Messiah Falcons and the Landmark Conference’s Elizabethtown Blue Jays men’s soccer teams took place this past week. The Blue Jays had to take the game on the road after the continued construction of Ira R. Herr Field continues on Etown’s campus to face off at Messiah.
The game kicked off, and Messiah was able to put on a strong attack early on, forcing a corner inside the first three minutes of the contest. Etown was able to make a strong defensive play and force the ball to midfield. Messiah was able to get the first shot on goal for the game in the 16th minute, however, a save by sophomore goalkeeper Logan Sumner in the bottom right corner kept the score level at 0-0.
The pressure continued from the Falcons as Messiah added 8 more shots in the first half alone, but the Etown defense held on strong, keeping the Falcons from finding the back of the net. Etown couldn’t seem to find an opening on goal as they were held to 0 shots in the first half.
In the second half, Etown came out of the halftime break hot, getting their first shot of the game from first-year midfielder Cam Paris who put the shot over the crossbar. The attempt from Paris was immediately followed by attempts from junior midfielders Manny Velazquez and Owen Auchenbach who followed the blocked shot attempt up and missed the target, sending the ball over the top.
Etown’s attempts caused a counter attack by the Falcons, with Sumner making another save for the Blue Jays. Etown found two more opportunities within the first 10 minutes of the second half, however, those chances couldn’t find its way on target.
Messiah was able to control the possession in the latter half of the game, being able to force three corner kicks in the final nine minutes. Despite the added offensive pressure, Etown was able to hold their own on the defensive line, forcing a 0-0 tie.
While Messiah was able to take 15 shots, Sumner made all four saves on the shots on target. Messiah had 10 opportunities on corner kicks, however, the Blue Jays were able to hold on defensively, keeping the game level.
The Blue Jays moved to 3-2-1 after tying to the 25th ranked team in the country. Etown will be back at home on Sep. 26 to take on Wilkes University at home for their first Landmark Conference game of the season. The game is stated online to be played at Ira R. Herr Field, but the game site is to be determined based on the state of the construction project.
