HARRISONBURG, Va. - It was a roller coaster of a third quarter. 

After the Royals were trailing 7-4 at the half, they went on a 4-1 run in a less than three minute span to tie things at eight. Virginia Wesleyan responded, however, with a 4-1 run of their own over the final 8:55, which would prove to be the difference, as the Marlins picked up a 15-10 win. 

Records: EMU 4-7, 2-2 ODAC | Virginia Wesleyan 7-4, 3-1 ODAC

Highlights

First Quarter

• The teams swapped early shots and saves, with Ainsley Clark getting one on net and Cristal Narciso picking up her first save of the game, which was also a historic moment for the senior keeper. Her first save gave her 400 for her career. 
• The Marlins picked up their first goal at the 11:28 mark, followed by goal number two and three at 9:13 and 7:48, respectively. 
• EMU got on the board with just over six minutes left in the period, when Shayleigh Sims took a pass to the left of the goal, worked around her defender and beat the Marlins keeper low and to the left, to cut VWU's lead to 3-1. The Marlins tacked on two more goals in the final 4:07, however, to take a 5-1 lead after one. 

Second Quarter

• EMU outscored Virginia Wesleyan 3-2 in the second, as both teams were kept off the board for almost eight minutes to start the quarter. At just over seven and a half minutes, Ava Walker took a pass at the top of the box, drove inside between two defender, and beat the Marlins keeper, making it 5-2. 
• Virginia Wesleyan got that goal, and another, back late in the quarter. But the Royals grabbed some momentum heading to the half, as Amber Bonds scored twice in the final 1:33, both times going to her right, beating a defender and putting it past the keeper, to cut EMU's halftime deficit to 7-4. 

Third Quarter

• The Royals offense came out hot in the third quarter, with Courtney Crawford scoring less than three minutes into the third, and pulling EMU within one. After a Marlins goal re-extended their lead to three, EMU scored the next three goals, one from Crawford, one from Bailey Freeman on a free position goal and a free position goal from Walker, to knot things at eight. 
• VWU stole the momentum right back with a pair of goals, but EMU continued to fight, with Walker adding her third goal on another free position shot with just over five minutes left. Two more goals for the Marlins gave them a three-goal lead, 12-9, heading to the fourth. 

Fourth Quarter

• Less than two minutes into the fourth, the Marlins tacked on an insurance goal, giving themselves a four-goal cushion. Freeman added her second of the day, pulling EMU back to within three at 13-10, but that would be the final goal for the Royals as Virginia Wesleyan added two more to escape with the win. 

Statistical Leaders
Walker: 3 goals, 4 draw controls
Bonds: 2 goals, 6 draw controls, 1 ground ball
Narciso: 10 saves
Crawford, Freeman: 2 goals each

What's Next
EMU will continue their home stand on Wednesday, when they take on Ferrum College on the Turf Field. First draw is set for 4 pm. 

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