(Carlisle, Pa.) – The #1-ranked Messiah College Falcons struck early in a top ten match-up with #9-ranked Dickinson and held on for a 3-1 win on Tuesday night at Miller Memorial Field.

The Falcons broke though, just 5:53 into the contest as Jeremy Payne picked up a loose ball and found the back of the net to put Messiah on the board. The visitors stretched the lead to, 2-0, when Josh Kremers converted a free-kick into the upper right corner in the 26^th minute.

The Red Devils held their own for most of the match as Messiah held the advantage in possession. The Falcons, would however, tally another insurance goal early in the second half for a 3-0 lead. Payne fed Jack Thompson, just 4:19 after the break.

The Red Devils continued to battle and eventually struck back, scoring in the 67^th minute. Sophomore Braeden Kelly (Brookeville, Md./Sandy Springs Friends) slipped the ball across the top of penalty area to classmate Alfred Hylton-Dei (Geneva, Sweden/Mercersburg Academy, Pa.), who found the corner of the net, trying to rally the Red Devils.

Dickinson continued to press for the remainder of the game, but the top-ranked Falcons would hold, improving to 7-0 on the season. Brandon West made four saves in goal for Messiah as the Falcons held a 23-11 advantage in shots.

Junior goaltender Reed Milbrath (Dickerson, Md./Sandy Spring Friends) turned in a solid performance in the nets as well, making five saves on the night.

The Red Devils drop their first match of the season, slipping to 5-1. They moved up to ninth on the D3soccer.com poll this week, and rise to 11^th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America national rankings.

Dickinson travels to Collegeville on Saturday to face Ursinus College in the Centennial Conference opener. Opening kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 pm.