Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. - With one curling free kick late in the second half, George Andriko made what had been impossible, possible.

Lebanon Valley College (8-6-0, 4-0-0 CC) stunned #5 Messiah College, 2-1, thanks to a late go-ahead goal in a pulsating Commonwealth Conference match-up Wednesday at Herbert Field. The win assures the Dutchmen a berth in the conference playoffs with a 4-0-0 record and 12 points with two more games to play.

Just as important, perhaps, was that it was LVC's first-ever win over the Falcons (9-2-2, 1-1-0) in 24 tries. It was also the highest-ranked team Lebanon Valley has ever knocked off.

After taking the lead just 37 seconds into the game on Justin Hutchinson's shot, LVC had to backpedal for much of the game until the Falcons leveled just after the hour.

Andriko, however, curled the winner through with a spectacular set piece from the edge of the box in the 85th minute.

Goalkeeper Tim Mehl was fantastic, making nine saves, including three in a quick spurt midway through the second half as Messiah threatened for a winner.

Before most fans had even taken their seats, LVC was on top after Justin Hutchinson set up a run down the left side to gain a corner. The kick swung far post to Ethan Groff, who slotted across the box back to Hutchinson's feet for the opening goal 37 ticks into the game.

The LVC defense then had to protect the lead, but Messiah finally broke the wall in the 62nd minute when Josh Sanders put a head on Geoff Pezon's free kick from the corner.

The Falcons kept searching for the go-ahead goal and nearly had one in a nailbiting sequence in the 75th minute. Pezon shot point blank and Mehl, and Trevor Lee's rebound bid also found the LVC senior. Pezon then picked the ball out of the air and headed it onto the cross bar before Danny Thompson ended the threat header right into Mehl's arms.

Moments later, Pezon had a good look at goal and hit the right post, sending the ball careening across an open goal and inches past the left post.

The chance LVC needed came in the 85th minute when an LVC forward was tangled up just outside the box, giving Messiah's Josh Mull a yellow card and setting up a free kick chance. Andriko struck it perfectly, curling the ball over the wall and inside the upper left corner.

LVC then held Messiah without a shot over the final five minutes despite two corner opportunities.

Messiah held a 20-9 shots advantage and led 12-3 on corners. Jared Clugston made three saves for the Falcons.

Lebanon Valley hosts Widener University on Saturday at 3 p.m.