HARRISONBURG, Va. - EMU wrapped up the 2025 regular season on Wednesday, taking on the University of Lynchburg in a midweek matchup. 

The Royals played hard, and even outscored the Hornets in the final frame, but a big first quarter from Lynchburg paced them, as they picked up a 21-8 win. 

Records: EMU 6-11, 4-6 ODAC | Lynchburg 12-5, 6-4 ODAC

Highlights

First Half

• The Hornets got on the board just 42 seconds into the game, taking a 1-0 lead early. Cristal Narciso picked up her first save of the game at the 13:59 mark, but Lynchburg scored another, two minutes into the quarter, taking a 2-0 lead. 
• That two-goal lead was short lived, as EMU struck on the very next possession. Courtney Crawford won the draw and the Royals offense went into motion, with Crawford feeding Amber Bonds, who put her shot past the keeper, cutting Lynchburg's lead to one at 2-1. 
• Narciso would pick up two more saves in the quarter, but Lynchburg was able to score nine unanswered goals and take an 11-1 lead after one. 
• The Royals came out slinging to start the second quarter, as Joelle Blosser caused a turnover, picked up the ground ball and got the ball back for the EMU offense. This time it was the Ava Walker/Crawford combination striking, with adding an assist on Crawford's first goal of the game, making the score 11-2. Bonds won the subsequent draw control and, after a Lynchburg foul, took the ball and buried it in the back of the cage for her second. 
• After a pair of Lynchburg goals, Crawford scored her second goal, and Alex Palizzi picked up her first, both on assists from Walker, to cut the Hornets lead to 13-5. Unfortunately for EMU, Lynchburg would end the quarter on a 4-0 run and take a 17-5 lead at the half. 

Second Half

• Two goals came from the Hornets in the third, before Crawford added her third of the game, with just under seven minutes to play in the quarter. Lynchburg would tack on two more and extend their lead to 21-6 after three. 
• The Royals shut out the Hornets in the fourth quarter, outscoring them 2-0. The goals came from two of EMU's seniors, Crawford and Bonds, two of the stalwarts of the team, to wrap up the scoring for EMU. 

Statistical Leaders
Crawford: 4 goals, 1 assist, 2 draw controls
Bonds: 3 goals, 6 draw controls
Walker: 3 assists, 2 draw controls

What's Next
This wrap up EMU's 2025 regular season. They will finish tied for eighth place with Ferrum and Averett at 4-6 in the ODAC and will await the tiebreaker to see if they qualify for the ODAC Tournament. 

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