From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
The Carnegie Mellon University men's soccer team hosted No. 3 Messiah College on Saturday, September 5 in the final game of the Carnegie Mellon DoubleTree Showcase, upending the Falcons 4-3 behind three goals from senior William Webb (Dallas, Texas/J.J. Pearce). The Tartans are now 3-0 on the year while the Falcons are even at 1-1.
Webb gave the Tartans a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute on a penalty kick. The senior was fouled in the box by Messiah keeper, Jonathan Weaver, after he touched a ball around a defender. The penalty kick conversion marks Webb's third of the year and went down as his fifth goal of the season.
Eight minutes later, Messiah equalized on a header by Danny Rowe. Colby Thomas sent a cross toward the far post over the Tartan defense as Rowe got behind a defender and rose overtop to head it past Tartan keeper, Eric Bykowsky (Columbia, S.C./Irmo).
In the 34th minute, a service into the 18-yard box by David Alejos was bobbled by Bykowsky on the ground and Nick West was there to touch it in for the go-ahead goal.
Four minutes passed before the game was tied again, as Webb and freshmen Anthony Gulli (Warrenville, Ill./St. Joseph) and Sean MacPherson (Palo Alto, Calif./Gunn) connected on a play starting in the Tartans half of the field. The three connected on one-touch passes before Gulli picked up a pass from MacPherson and sent it forward for Webb. Webb took a long touch left around a defender and then one-timed a low shot that got through the legs of Weaver as he moved forward in an attempt to scoop it up.
Eight minutes into the second half, a corner kick by Webb to the near post was put right on the spot for sophomoreJimmy Jameson (Fairfax, Va./Oakton) to head it between Connor Bell in goal for the Falcons and the post.
The Tartan lead held until the 75th minute when Alejos collected a ball at the top of the box, took a step around a defender and shot a low screamer through the defense and past Bykowsky to the right post to tie the game once again.
The winning goal came with 15 seconds to play after Messiah was called for a foul on the right side of the field and nearly 40 yards from goal. Senior Greg Allen (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar) sent the free kick to the center of the net and in traffic, Webb was the first to touch it as he deflected the ball with his head into the net.
The Tartans held strong in the final 15 seconds as Messiah got forward quickly but Bykowsky was there to pick up the ball and secure his third win of the season. Bykowsky made three saves for the game and punched out a few threatening opportunities by the Falcons.
Up next for the Tartans is No. 9 Kenyon College on Saturday, September 12 at 3:00 p.m. The game will be played at Kenyon as part of a two-day tournament.