Starting ODAC play with a key date at Guilford College, EMU's soccer men came up short in a 1-0 loss Saturday afternoon.  The Royals fall to 2-5 with the loss, and stay in conference play for their next game, a hosting of Virginia Wesleyan Wednesday night in Harrisonburg.

Both teams had chances over the first 45 minutes, but neither got anything to stick.  The Royals rallied late in the half, only to have a pair of shots slide wide over the final minute.

Guilford had a great look in the 57th minute after a corner kick, but had a shot saved by a defender.  Seconds later the Quakers fired another shot, this time knocked away by keeper Matthew Overacker (Mount Crawford, Va./Turner Ashby).

After a lull in play midway through the half, the home team struck in the 75th minute.  A quick give-and-go inside the box turned into a score from Leke Ademoyero for GC's 1-0 lead.

The Royals came within inches of equalizing in the closing minutes.  Jackson Taylor (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) went streaking up the left side and got into the box, but his shot was muffled by the Quakers' charging keeper.  The rebound trickled to Dominic Powers (Culpeper, Va./Fiesta Valley) on the right side of the box, but his shot was cleared by a GC defender, preserving the shutout.

EMU was out-shot 16-8, including 6-2 on goal.  Overacker finished with four saves.

The loss was particularly stinging as the two teams are projected to be fighting each other for a low spot in the ODAC Tournament.  Eastern Mennonite was tabbed for ninth in the ODAC Preseason Poll and Guilford was tenth.

Senior starters Jake Lind (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) and Seth Suttles (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) missed the game for the Royals.