(Grantham, Pa.) – Despite a valiant effort and strong push in the second half, #1-ranked Messiah College proved to be too much for the Dickinson men's soccer team on Tuesday night. The Red Devils rallied for a pair of second half goals, but the defending national champions remained unbeaten with a 4-2 decision.

The Falcons received two first half goals from Jeremy Payne and stretched the lead to 3-0, just three minutes into the second half. Jack Thompson scored to open the half and then assisted Mike Kovach, almost exactly 10 minutes later on a header to put Messiah in front, 4-0.

The Red Devils refused to go away, scoring back-to-back goals to cut the deficit in half, with 11 minutes remaining in the game. Junior Alfred Hylton-Dei (Geneva, Switzerland/Mercersburg Academy) put the Devils on the board in the 65^th minute.

That goal inspired the Devils as they continued to attack, creating some strong scoring chances. They broke through again as first-year Will Bracken (Easton, Conn./Joel Barlow) found the net for his second collegiate goal, making the score 4-2 with 11 minutes on the clock.

Both teams had more chances down the stretch but the count would stand at 4-2.

The Falcons held a 12-7 shot advantage and forced five corners while allowing just one from the Devils.

Senior Reed Milbrath (Dickerson, Md./Sandy Spring Friends) made five saves in the nets for Dickinson. Brandon West made five saves, including a penalty kick for Messiah as they improve to 7-0 on the season.

The Red Devils slip to 4-2, suffering just their second setback of the season. They travel to Washington College on Saturday for the Centennial Conference opener. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.