ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Soccer saw its upset bid fall just short as the No. 6 Messiah University Falcons (11-0-2, 5-0) equalized in the the 87th minute and found a game-winner 87 seconds into the second overtime. Derek Buhrman and Tommaso Garavaglia scored goals in the match.

With storms in the forecast, the match started a half hour early. While the weather held off until halftime, the Eagles had to deal with waves of Messiah attackers in the early going. The Eastern defense was solid, but the Falcons broke through on a headed goal int he 20th minute. First-year goalkeeper Diesel Fiore got a hand to the Luke Brautigam header, but the powerful attempt made it over the line by a few inches.

Four minutes later, the Eagles equalized. Ryan Jammes won a ball on the right side and after a quick combination with Jake Morales found Buhrman near the top of the box. The junior forward ripped a left-footed strike around a defender to the lower right corner for his tenth career tally.

Fiore finished the opening half with seven saves, and despite a 15-to-1 deficit in shots, the Eagles went into the locker room tied at 1-1.

Between the end of the first half and the start of the second, the storm rolled in with heavy winds and intermittent rain. The Falcons did not need more help, but steady gusting winds at their backs extended the shooting range and made clearing the back line more challenging.

The Eagles maintained discipline, and Fiore was spectacular. As each minute passed, the visitors committed more to the attack, and the center-back trio of Dylan Daigneault, Jesse Byler, and Alex McGlynn protected the space in front of the Eastern goal.

The match plan was to find transition moments and capitalize. The Eagles picked up a pair of those around the hour mark, but Buhrman and Garavaglia missed the target with shots.

With the wind howling, Fiore and the Eastern defense then went for an extended period under enormous pressure.

In the 79th minute, Jammes won a ball deep and carried it into the attacking half where he drew a foul near the right sideline. Gabriel Velazquez served a ball to the toward the penalty spot, and Garavaglia placed a header inside the left upright for a 2-1 lead. It was the first time a team has scored twice on the Falcons this year.

Down a goal for just the second time all year, the visitors brought in waves of substitutes and increased pressure. The Falcons found the equalizer on a cross from the right side. Lucas Kokolios bent a ball to the back post where Matt McDonald headed it back across. First-year forward Stefan Leitzel smashed in a header from close range to extend the match.

The Falcons won the coin flip and took the wind for the first overtime. Fiore made two magnificent saves and the Eagles blocked several shooting attempts and fought off several dangerous crosses.

The Falcons found the game-winner early in the second overtime. Fiore made a save on a shot from in close from Reid Ruark, but the rebound slipped out and Ruark pushed it between a pair of lunging defenders to end the match.

Fiore finished with 16 saves.

"Our guys did a great job with the game plan," Head Coach Kevin Brenner said after the game. "Diesel was outstanding. We took good advantage of our chances, and we had energy, commitment, and focus throughout the match. We have a huge game next Saturday."

The Eagles (8-4-2, 2-3)  are on a bye for the midweek date and will return to action at York College next Saturday.