Story Courtesy of Neumann Athletics

ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's soccer team defeated No. 14 Messiah University 1-0 on Saturday evening to win the 2026 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth Championship!
 
The Knights knocked off the reigning MAC Commonwealth champion, as the Falcons had won the previous seven titles. With the win, Neumann wins its fourth straight conference championship, winning the last three in the Atlantic East, before moving to the MAC Commonwealth this season.
 
The game came down to the final seconds. As it looked like the game was going into overtime, the Knights were awarded a penalty kick with 9.8 seconds left in regulation. Jordan Illian stepped up to the line and sank his fourth penalty kick of the year to put Neumann up 1-0. Illian was named the MVP.
 
The teams lined up for the kick-off and Messiah sent the ball down the field as the final 10-seconds were being counted down. It went on net, but Seiya Sato made the save, and Neumann came away with the 1-0 win in its first year in the MAC Commonwealth.
 
The game was a chess match throughout regulation with each team having chances. With just under seven minutes left in the first half, Harry Beugre got free from the defender and put the ball just over the crossbar. Beugre had another opportunity in the 43^rd minute and put the ball off the post. A minute later, Conor McCarthy wrapped up the first half with a shot that was saved by the Falcon's keeper.
 
Part way through the second half, Messiah was able to break free from the defenders and almost had an empty net. Tom Zimerman came back with a clean tackle to save a goal and keep the game scoreless.
 
In the final minute of regulation, Chase Dougherty put the ball just wide of the net and Beugre followed with another shot on goal, where the Falcon's keeper made a diving save. It was off the rebound where Luke Mejia tried to cross the ball and a handball in the box was called on Messiah to set up the penalty kick.
 
The Knights finished with 24 shots overall, 10 going on goal. The Falcons had 16 shots, five going on net, which Sato had the answers for. Beugre led the Knights with seven shots, two on net. Illian finished with five shots, three going on net. Messiah led in corner kicks with 11 while Neumann had six.
 
Neumann (14-3-2) will watch the NCAA selection show on Monday at 11:00 AM to see who it will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament next weekend.