Box Score Eastern Mennonite's men couldn't capitalize on their scoring chances Wednesday night and took a tough 2-0 loss to Randolph-Macon in Harrisonburg. It was just the second time the Royals dropped a match at home this season.
After pre-game ceremonies honored the men's eight seniors, they went out and controlled the opening minutes, firing three shots and earning a corner kick in 3:42. R-MC regrouped, but the Royals had a 6-1 edge in shots just 20 minutes in.
As the Yellow Jackets settled down, they got a surprising goal in the 33rd minute, when Ryan Jenkins launched a chip shot from the left side line which just got over the fingers of keeper Patrick Fox (Virginia Beach, VA/Kempsville) for a 1-0 lead.
EMU got a number of corners in the following minutes, but still trailed 1-0 at halftime.
Hungry for the second-half equalizer, Barkot Akalu (Addis Abeba, Ethiopia/Lycee Guebre Mariam) and Mitchell Leap (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) teamed up for some nice passing in front of the goal, but sent a shot just wide.
Senior Kevin Chico (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) had one of the best looks, drilling a shot from inside the 18 in the 77th minute, but the Yellow Jackets' keeper made a leaping save to knock the high ball away.
Five minutes later, the visitors got their breathing room, sneaking in a goal from Mike Urbanik on a deflection from a free kick along the right side.
The 2-0 deficit was too much for the Royals to overcome as they took the disappointing loss.
EMU had an 18-9 edge in shots, although shots on goal were even at 5-5. Fox finished with three saves.
Akalu led the men with four shots.
The loss drops Eastern Mennonite to 8-7-1 overall and 6-2 in ODAC play. Still holding onto second place in the league standings, the men would clinch the spot with a tie or a win in either of their final two contests. The Royals close the season with games at Lynchburg this Saturday and rival Bridgewater next Tuesday.
The eight-team ODAC Tournament starts on Saturday, Oct. 29, with quarterfinals hosted by the top four seeds.
