Two weeks ago, the EMU soccer men completed their fourth straight shutout win.  Since then, the Royals have fallen prey to a negative streak, suffering four straight losses and all by a 2-1 score.  The latest in the streak was a loss at home to Roanoke on Friday night.

The Royals were patient on offense after starting the game with the ball.  After 29 seconds of passing, freshman Christian Rhine (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) ripped a shot from the left corner of the box which sailed just a foot high of goal.

The scoring chances continued as eight minutes later, Rhine found the net.  After Andrew Yoder (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) punched out the ball after an RC corner, Rhine took the ball near midfield, beat three Maroon defenders, pulled out the RC keeper and tapped the ball in for a 1-0 lead.

But Roanoke had an answer just 20 seconds later, getting a score off a play on their restart.  The visitors continued to possess much of the remainder of the half, but neither team scored again and shots were tied 8-8 at the break.

The Maroons moved quickly to start the second, getting a weak side goal to grab the lead in the 49th minute.  RC continued to possess the ball and limit EMU's chances.  The men had a couple of looks on free kicks, but couldn't sneak another ball into the net.

The second half belonged to Roanoke, with a 12-5 edge in shots.  The Royals were efficient with their shots overall, putting nine of 13 on goal.  Rhine finished with four shots.  Jonathan Bush (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) and Ryan Eshleman (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) each had two shots on goal.

Yoder finished with six saves, while Eshleman also knocked out a potential goal for a team save.

Eastern Mennonite will try to get back on the winning track next Wednesday at Randolph-Macon.  The men are now 6-7-1 overall and 3-3 in the ODAC.

Video of Coach Roger Mast after the game: