Playing even with last year's conference champions is no easy fete, but the Eastern Mennonite men did just that -- except for the opening minutes of each half. Those two five-minute spans cost them the contest as Lynchburg scored early in each frame to grab a 2-0 win over the Royals in Harrisonburg Saturday night.

The Hornets scored quickly, putting in a goal on the game's first shot. Shawn Bender took a great cross from Matthew Rowe in the right corner for a score just 5:08 into the contest.

The Royals came back with their own scoring chances, the best coming in the 14th minute. Osman Velasquez (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) tipped a long pass away from the Hornets' keeper, but Mitchell Leap's (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) shot sailed over the empty net.

Neither team could score the remainder of the half, even though EMU had a 4-1 edge in corners.

Lynchburg quickly added to their lead early in the second. Jordan Clark launched a corner kick which Zach Ward headed into the goal just 3:40 into the half.

The men had another good look in the 58th minute, but Velasquez had a shot trickle just left of the goal.

As the minutes ticked away, the Royals continued to get looks, but not good enough looks to get a goal, and Lynchburg staked the 2-0 win.

Shots were nearly even in the game, with the Hornets holding a slight 14-12 edge. Shots on goal were a big difference, however, with the visitors up 7-1. Kevin Chico (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) had the Royals' lone shot late in the first half.

The men did hold a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks in the game, but failed to utilize on many of the opportunities.

Ryan Baker (Virginia Beach, Va./Menchville) had five saves for EMU.

Eastern Mennonite slides to 2-9-1 with the loss, including 1-3-1 in the ODAC. The Royals are looking ahead at a busy week, playing at Randolph-Macon on Tuesday before a pair of home games Thursday and Saturday.