In a playoff race, every game matters.  For the EMU soccer women they had a rare Sunday date at Emory & Henry in yet another important ODAC game.  With injuries straining the roster, the Royals fought well but lost 1-0 to the Wasps on a late goal.

The loss leaves the women still in search of an ODAC tournament-clinching victory or tie.  With one game left in the regular season, earning a berth will be no easy task as the Royals play at third place Bridgewater Tuesday afternoon.

EMU is currently in eighth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference at 4-7, one win ahead of both Sweet Briar and Emory & Henry at 3-8.  SBC closes the season at Randolph College Wednesday night, while the Wasps host second place Washington and Lee also on Wednesday.  If the Royals enter a two-way tie with either team, they hold the head-to-head tie-breaker over Sweet Briar, but not with Emory & Henry after Sunday's loss.  A three-way tie would likely have to be decided by the ODAC's complicated five-point system.

Eastern Mennonite entered the game at Emory & Henry without either of their keepers, who were both missing the contest with injuries.  Versatile midfielder Morgan Hill (Martinsville, Va./Carlisle), who has also filled spots as a defender this fall, spent the day in goal.  While she played well, the necessary move also took one of the ODAC's top passers (with seven assists) off the field.

Hill racked up nine saves in the first half alone, and finished with 13 saves for the second highest total by an EMU keeper this season.  The offense couldn't cash in on any of their five shots on goal, however.

The Wasps scored in the 74th minute on a free kick from the top left of the box, netting the only goal in the contest.

Senior Emma Beachy (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) had three shots on goal.  Hannah Walker (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) and Sierra Martin (Glenwood Springs, Colo./Glenwood Springs) each put one attempt on mark.

The Royals, 6-10-1 overall, play at 4:00pm in Tuesday's finale at Bridgewater.  Live stats and video will be available for the game.