OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Despite getting outshot 26-4, the Stevenson men's soccer team held No. 1 Messiah to a scoreless draw thanks to four saves from junior goalie Ryan Callinan and a strong showing by the Mustangs defense Tuesday night at Mustang Stadium.

The draw is the first point for Stevenson (9-5-2, 0-2-2 Commonwealth) in three all-time meetings with Messiah (13-0-1, 3-0-1 Commonwealth) who had won each of the first two games between the Commonwealth rivals. 

Much of the game was played in the Mustangs' end, but the Stevenson defense continually held the Falcons to long-distance efforts and crosses, while also probing at the other end to keep the visitors honest.

The game saw a cagey opening with neither team able to control possession and create concrete opportunities.  The visitors, who have won back-to-back national championships, had the best chance of the early stages, but Jack Thompson headed a cross from Mike Kovach high of the mark.

The Falcons began to take control the game more, passing the ball around in the midfield, but the Mustang defense held strong, thwarting all forays in the box.  With chances only coming from crosses, Messiah's Jeremy Payne was wide of the mark with his headed effort in the 19th minute.

The best opening of the first 45 minutes came just before the half-hour mark, but Payne flashed his shot wide from the top of the box.

Using a counter-attacking style, the Mustangs had their best chance at the 39 minute mark as senior Jon Grant drove into the box down the left channel.  The veteran midfielder slipped past his defender and sent a low driven ball into the area, but it was cleared away by the Falcon defense.

Messiah kept pressing in the latter stages of the first half, but Callinan was there to collect on a lunging effort by Kirby Robbins in the dying seconds of the period.

Out of the break, Stevenson looked more energized and probed for a quick lead through senior Yianni Sarioglou.  The winger collected the ball just inside the Messiah half, and after getting away from one defender, let loose with a shot, but it drift wide of the target.

The visitors took notice and once again began possessing the ball in the Mustang end.  The Falcon attack continued to run through Payne, but his knuckleball shot went wide in the 56th minute and then his cross was cleared a few minutes later. 

On the hour mark, Callinan was on the spot to deny Thompson and keep the Mustangs level.

The Falcons kept the pressure on, but again the Mustang backline limited the visitors to long crosses and shots from outside the box, allowing Callinan to claim easily.

On the stroke of 67 minutes Messiah looked to finally break the deadlock, but as Payne leaned low to get to a free kick the Mustang keeper denied the striker with a fine touch over the bar.  Five minutes later Callinan was on the spot again to easily catch Brian Ramirez's long-range effort.

Sarioglou then made another surging run into the Falcon half, but again ripped his shot wide from outside of the area.

Messiah continued on the front foot, but the Mustang defense was resilient, forcing the game into overtime.

Stevenson gained the first chance of the extra period as a loose ball fell to Grant 25 yards from goal, but the senior curled his shot just high of the bar.

Just a few minutes later, Messiah gained a corner and after Stevenson could not clear the ball, Carter Robbins latched on to a bouncing ball but sent a low effort just around the right post.

With just 30 seconds remaining in the opening period Falcon defender Bryant Myer nearly ended it, but his free kick crept just high.

Three minutes into the second overtime period, the Mustang defense looked like it would be breached, but sophomore Adnan Alic covered for his goalie to block a point-blank effort by Colby Thomas.

Barely a minute later at the other end Alic nearly ended it, but Sarioglou could not quite latch on to the defender's low cross.

In the end, the Mustangs held out to earn the scoreless draw and their second point in conference play.

Stevenson now has over a week of rest before heading up to Reading, Pa. to take on Albright in a conference match-up on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Kick-off between the Mustangs and Lions is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Gene L. Shirk Stadium.