The EMU Royals had their season opener come to a bitter end as the visiting Sewanee Tigers stole a 2-1 win from the soccer men in overtime. Following a lightning delay that took place in the 95th minute, the Tigers only needed a little over a minute to knock in a header to seal the victory.
The soccer men came out strong to start the game applying strong defensive pressure to shut down any offensive attack the Tigers were creating. Sewanee had chances early on to score, but defensive efforts by Emmanuel Boamah (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) and Matthew Zimmerman (Partlow, Va./Spotsylvania) helped keep the Tigers off of the scoreboard.
EMU finally broke free in the 30th minute on a fast break opportunity by Erik Peachey (Lititz, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) who drew the goalkeeper out of the net. He quickly shot the ball which was deflected off of the goalkeeper and over to an awaiting Dave Drafton (Alexandria, Va./Howard Gardner) who tapped the ball into the wide open net to give the Royals their first goal and lead of the season.
The second half was back-and-forth as both teams were creating scoring opportunities that neither could capitalize on. The Tigers finally found the back of the net in the 72nd minute when Evan Poole fired in a shot to tie the game.
EMU just missed regaining the lead a minute later as a header by Zimmerman just barely missed sneaking inside the left post. The Royals had one last chance to take the lead in the 85th minute as Caleb Lasrado (Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park) shot a laser from outside the box, over the head of the Tiger goalkeeper, but right off the crossbar and back into the field of play.
As the game headed into overtime, in the 95th minute a lightning delay caused a thirty minute break. When play resumed, Thompson Schollaert sent a cross over to Kyle Johnston who headed the ball into the goal for the game winner in the 96th minute.
Sewanee outshot the Royals 17-12 with Johnston leading all players with seven shots, two of which were on goal. Jesus Trejo (Winchester, Va./John Handley) led the Royals in shots with three, while three other players had 2 two shots a piece. Emmanuel Kampanga (Kinshasa, Congo/American School) had 4 saves in goal.
Eastern Mennonite returns to action Saturday at home against Bethany (W.V.) with that game set to start at 7:00 p.m.
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