VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (EMU Athletics) – The Royals made the midweek trip to the beach on Wednesday, taking on Virginia Wesleyan in an ODAC matchup.
The Marlins led by one after one, but then used a 9-3 second quarter to pull ahead and hang on for a 23-8 win over EMU.
Records: EMU 0-10, 0-4 ODAC | VWU 6-4, 1-1 ODAC
Highlights
First Quarter
• The Marlins took a 2-0 lead to start the game, before EMU responded in the eighth minute. After Ava Walker won the draw, the Royals got into the Marlins offensive zone. Hailey Walker’s pass found Shayleigh Sims as her shot got past the VWU keeper, pulling EMU within one, 2-1.
• Just over a minute later, EMU tied things when Sims tallied her second goal, this time off a pass from Ava Schwartz. Virginia Wesleyan pulled back out in front after winning the subsequent draw and finding the back of the cage.
• That lead was short lived, as A. Walker scored her team-leading 12th goal. Alyssa Hunter came with four more big saves in the quarter, giving up just one more goal as VWU led 4-3 after one.
Second Quarter
• Two quick goals from the Marlins pushed their lead to 6-3 before EMU answered at the 11:59 mark. A. Walker matched Sims with her second goal of the game, cutting EMU’s deficit to two.
• The Schwartz-Sims connection struck again less than a minute later, as this time Sims fed Schwartz who scored, making the score 6-5. Unfortunately for EMU, Kaylene Todd’s free position goal was the only other Royals goal in the frame, as Virginia Wesleyan added seven more goals, taking a 13-6 lead into half time.
Third Quarter
• Virginia Wesleyan started the second half scoring with a goal at the 11:20 mark of the third quarter and then rattled off another goal 1:14 worth of game time.
• The Royals answered a few minutes later when Hailey Walker joined her twin sister Ava among the game’s scorers, finding the back of the Marlins’ net with 7:46 left in the quarter.
• The Marlins scored the next four goals unanswered to take a 19-7 lead to the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
• Virginia Wesleyan stretched their lead to 16 with four more goals in a row.
• Hailey Walker ended the game on a good note for EMU, collecting her second goal of the game with 1:04 remaining.
Statistical Leaders
Goals: A. Walker, H. Walker, Sims (2)
Draw Controls: Todd (6)
Ground Balls: Todd (9)
Saves: Hunter (13)
What’s Next
EMU returns home this Saturday, March 28, for their Senior Day and Rowdy Royals game against Randolph. Start time at the EMU Turf Field is set for 2 p.m.
— EMU Athletics —
