GROVE CITY, Pa. – The opening whistle blew for EMU Men's Soccer 2025 campaign on Friday night, traveling north to Pennsylvania to take on Grove City College. For the first time since 2016, the Royals emerged victorious in their season opener, using two second-half goals to defeat the host Wolverines 2-0.
In both instances, a first-year player found the back of the net for the Royals, with
Elijah Byrd and
Hamidullah Tokhi tallying a goal each for EMU. Senior goalkeeper
Andrew Arledge picked up where he left off after a strong 2024 season in net, posting a clean sheet after making five saves.
Records: EMU 1-0 | Grove City 0-1
Highlights
- 60' | Following a first half stalemate, the Royals broke the seal on the scoring when Iverson Garcia delivered a superb through ball to Byrd. While Byrd's first shot went off the right post, he deposited the rebound into the net, and the first-year forward from Gainesville, Va., put EMU on the board.
- 87' | Things got a little dicey for EMU when Garcia got his second yellow card, resulting in a red card. The Royals would have to play the final few minutes of the match a man down to the Wolverines.
- 90' | However, the man disadvantage did not hinder EMU. With 18 seconds left, Tokhi stole the ball from a Grove City defender and then won the one-on-one battle with the Wolverines' goalkeeper to put the cherry on top of the Royals' victory.
Statistical Leaders
Goals: Byrd, Tokhi (1)
Assists: Garcia (1)
Saves: A. Arledge (5)
What's Next
The EMU Men's Soccer team will stay in the Keystone State for a match-up at Geneva College tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 30. Opening kick against the Golden Tornadoes is set for 4 p.m.
