HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Royals played their penultimate home game Saturday night, as they welcomed Averett to the Turf Field for a Senior Night matchup.
The Royals split the scoring evenly, managing to score three goals in the first half and three more in the second half to seal their third ODAC win of the season with a 6-0 final score.
Records EMU 5-8-2, 3-4 ODAC | Averett University 0-9-0, 0-6 ODAC
Highlights
- The Royals were determined to get the win today, and they wasted no time reflecting their ambition on the scoreboard as EMU's first goal came in the 10th minute from the foot of Esme Cardoso after a scramble in the box that Cardoso simply had to tap in to give the Royals the early advantage.
- The second goal of the night would come courtesy of Bridget Hay in the 18th minute after a fantastic cross from Hailey Walker that Hay tapped into the net, for her 10th goal of the season.
- The Royals wanted something more before the end of the half as they looked to extend their lead. Their wish came true late in the first half when they managed to score their third goal of the night, courtesy of first-year Anneliese Denlinger, who scored her first collegiate goal. With this goal, the Royals would take a 3-0 lead into halftime.
- It would be a night with much to celebrate for the Royals as, in the 61st minute, first-year Emma Swarm would also score her first collegiate goal. Hay's initial shot was blocked by a Cougar defender, but the deflection came right to Swarm, who put it past the AU keeper for a 4-0 lead.
- The Royals' celebratory spirits would keep growing late in the second half when, in the 82nd minute, sophomore defender Michelle Thompson extended the Royals' lead to 5-0 after a low shot off a corner kick that beat Averett's goalkeeper. This also marked Thompson's first collegiate goal. Just 50 seconds later, Hannah Kepler dribbled past a defender on the right side of the field before sending the ball into the box, where Karina Bondaruk scored EMU's sixth and final goal of the night. The Royals' defense proved to be a brick wall, as they allowed no shots on goal for the Cougars.
Statistical Leaders
Goals: Cardoso, Hay, Denlinger, Swarm, Thompson and Bondaruk (1)
Assists: Kepler (2), Walker and Hay (1)
What's Next
The Royals will be back on the pitch on Wednesday evening when they travel to Virginia Beach to take on the Batten University Marlins. Kickoff is set for 5:00 PM.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding EMU women's soccer, follow EMU on Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.
