As the regular season winds down, the Lady Royals need a late push to lock up a spot in the ODAC tournament. Saturday afternoon, cold weather and injuries slowed EMU down in that quest, as the women came up short at home against Roanoke, 2-1.

With nagging injuries depleting Eastern Mennonite's bench to just two players, the women jumped right in against Roanoke. The Maroons controlled most of the play in the game, and ended up out-shooting the Lady Royals, but the score remained close.

In the 39th minute, the visitors broke through as Steph Parenteau scored off a corner kick. EMU nearly equalized ten minutes into the second half when Jess Myers (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) fired a shot that Roanoke's keeper punched away. Christa Beckler (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) was there for the rebound, but her shot went high.

The Lady Royals continued to trail until the 61st minute. After a free kick, Kacie Ruark (Baltimore, Md./Western) sent a cross to Beckler who scored her third goal of the year to tie the game at 1-1.

But at 78:52, EMU was whistled for a hand ball in the box, and Jessica Welfare scored on the ensuing penalty kick. The Maroons then clamped down on defense, as the Lady Royals couldn't take another shot and took the 2-1 loss.

Roanoke outshot EMU 23-8, including 16-4 in shots on goal. Keeper Abby Diffenbach (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) played well and finished with 14 saves.

The loss drops the Lady Royals to 5-9 overall and 2-6 in conference play. The women hope to get healthy and end their four-game losing streak when they host Randolph on Wednesday, Oct. 21 for their final home game of the year.

EMU is currently tied for 8th place in the ODAC standings with Emory & Henry and Hollins. The Lady Royals seem to have an inside track on the final playoff spot as they beat the Wasps on Oct. 3 and wrap up the regular season at Hollins on Oct. 27.