By Charles Baynum \/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hood College men\u2019s soccer team saw its postseason run come to an end on Wednesday night, falling 3-0 to top-seeded Messiah University in the MAC semifinals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early in the first half, both teams struggled and the score remained 0-0 at the half. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a berth to the MAC championship on the line, both defenses held strong through the opening 45 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blazers came out with a spark early in the second half. Junior Austin Heffner fired a shot on goal but Messiah managed to save it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the 63-minute mark, Messiah struck for their first goal, giving them the 1-0 lead. The Falcons would then follow up the first goal, with a second goal 6 minutes later at the 69-minute mark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Falcons then sealed the game three minutes later, with their third goal of the day which would later advance them to the MAC championship game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the loss, head coach Geoff Moore emphasized how proud he was of his team\u2019s growth and chemistry throughout the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey work well with each other,\u201d Moore said. \u201cThe new guys that have come to the team have done an excellent job and the returners have done a good job of maintaining the standards that we kind of put in place last year and have built on it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blazers finished the year with a 10-6-2 record and went 3-3-2 in the MAC conference this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Moore\u2019s second season, the Blazers made huge improvements from last year. They finished the season with 10 wins, a major step forward from last year\u2019s four-win campaign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moore said: \u201cI think overall we have had a wonderful season. I think the big part of it is that the guys have really bought into what our plan is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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