September 28, 2009 - Geneva College
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September 28, 2009

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Beaver Falls, PA - When the 2009 Geneva College men′s soccer schedule was released last spring there was one game that stood out above all the rest. That date and that game will be played on Tuesday night when the Golden Tornadoes visit Messiah College. What exactly will Geneva be up against? Messiah is ranked #1 in the NCAA Division III poll. It is the defending NCAA Division III national champions. It has won six national championships in the last nine years. In 2008, Messiah won 22 games and reached the 20-win plateau for the eighth time in the last nine years. Long odds you might say for the Golden Tornadoes, but Geneva is playing its best soccer of the young season.

The Golden Tornadoes come into Tuesday′s action with an overall record of 6-2 including a four-game winning streak in which they have outscored their opponents by a combined 10-0. Messiah has certainly picked up where it left off last year as it has started with a perfect 7-0 record and has outscored its opponents 24-3 in those seven matches.

So the question remains, why did Geneva head coach Todd Beall schedule the most dominant soccer team in NCAA Division III? "You can′t be the best unless you play the best," explains Beall. "We are very excited about this opportunity as a barometer for our program. They simply have the best Division III program in the country and this is a great opportunity for our guys to compete at that high level."

Not only will Geneva travel to Messiah on Tuesday, but the defending national champions will return the favor when they visit Beaver Falls in 2010.

The timing of this game couldn′t be better for Geneva as it prepares to open the PAC schedule on Friday in Kentucky at Thomas More College. The Golden Tornadoes return to Merriman Complex, where they have a perfect 3-0 record, next Wednesday to host Bethany College.

Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College′s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).

Sep 28, 2009