The Eastern Mennonite soccer men fell to visiting Bridgewater College in a mid-week, crosstown matchup by a final score of 3-2. With the loss, the Royals find themselves sitting at 0-4 overall and 0-3 in the conference on the year. 

The match started off quickly, with the Eagles scoring in just the sixth minute with a goal from Matthew Shelor off the pass from Alex Martinez.

EMU answered quickly with a goal of their own from Jonas Beachy (Grants Pass, Ore./Hidden Valley), his first of the season, in the seventh minute of the match. From there, the Royals would find some rhythm and began consistently attacking, putting the Eagles on their heels. 

Leiyan Kariuki (Nairobi, Kenya/St. Patricks) gave EMU the lead in the 16th minute of the match with his second goal of the season. The goal sparked life on the Royals' bench. The men missed out on another would-be goal in the first half that was waved off because of an offsides call.

The Royals would carry that excitement and hold onto their lead until Bridgewater came through just minutes before the first period finished with Trevon Phillips evening up the score, sending the match into the half at 2-2. 

The second half told a different story, one where the two teams fought to maintain control and get something to hit the back of the net. Despite the Eagles consistently on the attack, the Royals would hold down the backline, looking to counter the attack and take the lead.

In the 77th minute of the match, Bridgewater came through with a goal from Kalefa Boyar, pushing the score to 3-2 where it would remain until time expired. Joshua Chiquillo (Woodbridge, Va./Gar-Field) nearly equalized in the final minutes, but a rocket shot just glanced out.

Kariuki led the Royals in shots with three, two of them being on goal. 

On the Eagles' side, Phillips led the charge with five shots. 

The Royals find themselves back on the pitch on Sunday, Mar. 14, hosting Shenandoah at 3:00pm.