HARRISONBURG, Va. – The EMU Men's Soccer team opened up Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play on Saturday evening with their fifth home game in six matches, welcoming in Washington & Lee, who entered the evening ranked #13 in the United Soccer Coaches Division III national poll.
From start to finish, the Royals came to play, taking the Generals all the way to the brink of an upset. But in the end, the Royals' valiant effort came up short as W&L cashed in on a penalty kick with 1:28 remaining on the clock to escape Harrisonburg with a 2-1 win over EMU.
Records: EMU 3-6, 0-1 ODAC | Washington & Lee 6-1, 1-0 ODAC
Highlights
- 35' | After trading a few good chances apiece, it was the visiting Generals who broke the stalemate late in the first half. A good through pass from Spencer Furman found Taha Kaba, whose shot from the left side of the box got past EMU goalkeeper Dennis Villalta to give W&L a 1-0 lead.
- That goal was the first allowed by Villalta in 345:12 of gameplay, a stretch that included three clean sheets as part of a three-game winning streak for the Royals that sadly got snapped Saturday night.
- 69' | The Royals kept the score close at 1-0 until they pounced on their opportunity to get the equalizer. David Arroyo got a great run into the right side of the box and took the cross from Oliver Rivera. Arroyo's initial header deflected off of a W&L defender and right back to him, allowing him to boot the ball with his right foot into the upper right corner of the net. Arroyo's first career college goal knotted the score at 1-1.
- The goal by Arroyo was the first that EMU has scored on W&L since 2017.
- 89' | But just when it looked like the Royals were going to get the tie and a valuable point in the ODAC table, a Washington & Lee player was fouled inside the box. That set the stage for a successful penalty kick by Sami Seife to put the Generals up for good.
Statistical Leaders
Goals: Arroyo (1)
Shots on Goal:
Brandon Hernandez (2)
Saves: Villalta (4)
What's Next
EMU Men's Soccer will seek a return to the win column this Wednesday, Sept. 30, when they head to Lexington to play W&L's next-door neighbors at the Virginia Military Institute. Opening kick against the Keydets is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the live broadcast will be on ESPN+.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the EMU men's soccer program this year, follow EMU on Twitter and Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.
