HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – In a cold and driving rain, the EMU Men’s Soccer Team faced a win or go home situation in their regular season finale on Wednesday, hosting Averett at the EMU Turf Field.
Facing a 1-0 deficit, the Royals came through in the clutch with three goals in the final 8:09 to come away with a thrilling 3-1 victory in front of group of loyal, freezing cold supporters at the EMU Turf Field.
The win, coupled with Shenandoah’s loss at Lynchburg, helped punch the Royals’ ticket to the ODAC Men’s Soccer Tournament for the third year in a row. This marks the first year that both men’s soccer and women’s soccer have made the ODAC Tournament in the same fall since 2017.
Records: EMU 7-6-5, 2-5-2 ODAC | Averett 4-8-4, 2-6-1 ODAC
Highlights
• The opening 45 minutes featured a fair share of opportunities for both sides but no goals. EMU’s best scoring chance in the first half came on a shot on goal by Elijah Byrd in the 17th minute.
• 72′ | The visiting Cougars broke the stalemate with a goal by Hudson Bradley to put Averett up 1-0.
• 82′ | With their backs against the wall, the Royals responded in a big way. Oliver Rivera sent a good ball into the box that was received by Yan Cesar. Cesar then evaded two defenders to shot off with his right foot and into the net to knot the match at 1-1.
• 87′ | It did not take long for EMU to seize their first lead of the night. A cross into the box got headed down by Logan Darrow, and then Cesar was in the right place at the right time to head home his second goal of the night as the Royals snagged the 2-1 advantage.
• 88′ | Less than a minute later, the home team put the icing on the cake of a tournament-clinching win. Hamidullah Tokhi had a nifty touch to fellow first-year and former high school teammate Byrd, who ran into the box and sent the ball home with his left foot to give EMU a 3-1 lead with less than two minutes to go.
Statistical Leaders
Goals: Cesar (2), Byrd (1)
Assists: Darrow, Rivera, Tokhi (1)
Saves: A. Arledge (2)
What’s Next
EMU Men’s Soccer will play in the ODAC Tournament Quarterfinals at top-seeded Lynchburg this Saturday, Nov. 1. Game time is to be determined.
— EMU Athletics —
