GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s soccer team battled the No. 8 team in the country in the Commonwealth Conference semi-finals, coming up just short in a 2-1 loss at Messiah on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

“It’s disappointing,” said head coach Scott Kennell. “But our guys played extremely well tonight against the No. 8 team in the nation. After what happened the last time we were down here, we have to hold our heads high tonight.”

Messiah, then ranked No. 5, defeated the Warriors 5-0 during the regular season meeting on Oct. 18.

The Falcons scored goals in the 26th and 68th minutes to take a 2-0 lead.

Dan Marcin (Wilmington, Del.) scored the Lycoming goal in the 84th minute, but the Warriors could not find the equalizer as time expired.

Marcin’s goal, a header off a pass from Matt Frey (Greensboro, Md.), was his first of the season and the fourth of his career.

David Bald (Annapolis, Md.), who earlier this year broke the Lycoming record for shutouts in a season, registered three saves in the contest.

Messiah held a 16-1 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in shots on goal. The Falcons were awarded 10 corner kicks while the Warriors had no corners.

Lycoming finishes the season with a 12-6-1 overall record while Messiah improves to 15-2-2 and advances to the Commonwealth Conference finals to host Widener.