The playing conditions were far from ideal, and the result was somewhat unsatisfying, but the bottom line was EMU’s soccer men earned their first ODAC point with a scoreless draw at Hampden-Sydney College on Saturday.
On a rain-drenched Hellmuth-Gibson Field, neither team could get into an offensive flow as the ball slowed down drastically on the soggy ground. As a result, quality scoring chances were rare despite a combined 25 shot attempts.
Parker Leap (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) had Eastern Mennonite’s only shot on goal which resulted in an easy save during the second half. Dave Drafton (Alexandria, Va./Howard Gardner) had perhaps the best look in the first overtime when he got loose near the top of the box. But the sophomore stuck his shot high across the goal.
EMU keeper Matthew Overacker (Mount Crawford, Va./Turner Ashby) made three saves to earn his fifth shutout of the year. The backline was also credited with a defensive save on a water-slowed attempt.
Leap had three of the Royals’ 10 shots, while Dylan Polley (Dexter, Mich./Dexter) fired off two.
The men played their second straight game without both of their 2015 All-ODAC players, leading scorer Juan Luna (Mount Jackson, Va./Stonewall Jackson) and defender Emmanuel Boamah (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac).
The Royals (5-6-3 / 0-2-1 ODAC) broke a five-game losing streak with the tie against Hampden-Sydney (5-4-1 / 0-2-1 ODAC). EMU will be looking for their first win since Sept. 17 when they head to Roanoke College (5-4-2 / 2-0-1 ODAC) on Wednesday. Game time is set for 7:00pm.
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