The Same Only Different: Eagles Claim Wet Victory

Dubuque, IA - For the second Friday in a row the Eagles took on the Patriots of Baptist Bible College (Springfield, MO), but this time on a wet, home field. The Eagles went into the game looking for a rebound after a tough match with NAIA opponent Clarke University earlier in the week.

The wet conditions affected play early as the Eagles looked to settle the ball and possess, but instead saw the ball skip out of control. Despite the difficulty, the Eagles managed to get off 11 shots in the first half, 3 of them on target. However, it was the Patriots, eager to avenge their 2-1 loss from the week before, who got on the board first. A long ball played over the top in the 33^rd minute took an awkward bounce off the head of defender Elijah Barsness (#1) and landed at the feet of M. Kick (#12) of BBC. Kick made a strong run into the box and put the shot just wide of charging keeper Erik Rasmussen (#00) and into the back of the net.

Trailing 0-1 at the half, the Eagles came out determined to play their game, to find feet, and to apply high pressure on the Patriot back line. Their efforts were rewarded in the 50^th minute when Ryan Bell (#9) was fouled just outside the box. Freshman Anthony Flores (#10) fired the free kick just wide of the wall, off the hands of the Patriot keeper, and into the net.

With the goal and momentum on their side, the Eagles continued to press the attack, earning multiple deep throws and corner kicks. In the 55^th minute, the Eagles found what they were looking for. Ryan Bell launched a long throw into the box that Flores was able to settle before sealing off a defender and turning the ball for a perfect shot low to the left corner. With the 2-1 lead, the Eagles continued to press, forcing the Patriot keeper to make several tough saves down the stretch. The Patriots, never a team to quit, created a few good chances of their own, but the scrappy Eagle defense was up to the task, clearing ball after ball out of the back.

When the final whistle sounded, the Eagles had their second victory of the season and third 2-1 victory over the Patriots in three tries, dating back to last season. The difference was in the statistics this time as Emmaus outshot BBC 23-14, almost an exact reverse of last week's match when the Patriots held a 23-13 advantage. Keeper Erik Rasmussen recorded 6 saves on the night and the Eagles offense earned 7 corner kicks. The game also matched the Eagles first come-from-behind victory, since the state of their 2014 campaign.

"I was really proud of the way the guys played tonight. It was sloppy at first, but we really settled ourselves in the second half of the match, finding feet and challenging for every 50/50 ball. The guys wanted this game and it showed. Some of our guys, for example Logan Matenaer, really stepped up today and showed that they have the vision to play excellent team ball, in addition to their tenacious defense." (Coach Brown)

The Eagles will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, September 19^th against the Saints of Central Christian College of the Bible (Moberly, MO) in what will be their first MCCC conference match of the year. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm.