Men’s soccer: EMU bitten by Bulldogs in 2-1 loss

An early goal wasn’t enough to go the distance, as EMU’s soccer men dropped a disappointing 2-1 loss to DeSales Sunday afternoon at home.

The Royals, now 1-1-1, hit the road for four straight games, starting this Wednesday at William Peace. Game time in Raleigh, N.C., is5:00pm.

Eastern Mennonite controlled the early goings against DeSales, led by freshman Daniel Obour (Alexandria, Va./Mount Vernon) who took four shots in the first 17:14. In the 19th minute, Obour had drawn enough attention that he could find Juan Luna (Mount Jackson, Va./Stonewall Jackson) open in the box. The junior made a strong shot to the left side, hitting the net with Obour’s assist for a quick 1-0 lead.

But just six minutes later, the Royals were whistled for a careless foul in the box, and the Bulldogs’ Justin Habick converted the penalty kick for the equalizer.

By the second half, the physical play had taken its toll on EMU’s defense, with keeper Matthew Overacker (Mount Crawford, Va./Turner Ashby) and center back Ryan Thomas (Telford, Pa./Christopher Dock) both out of the game due to injuries. A turnover in the attacking half then turned into a quick strike for DeSales, and Zach Reichard scored on a breakaway with just 5:52 to play.

DSU packed in the defense down the stretch, with a wide header in the closing seconds from Emmanuel Boamah (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) being the Royals’ only shot.

Eastern Mennonite had a 9-5 advantage in shots in the first half, but the Bulldogs mirrored that in the second. Luna, Obour and Kurtis Blosser (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) had EMU’s only shots on goal.

Overacker made five saves before leaving after a collision in the 68th minute. Emmanuel Kampanga (Kinshasa, Congo/American School) allowed the final goal and took the decision.