Three Goals Not Enough In Eagles Final Home Game

The Emmaus men's soccer team kicked off their final home regular season match on Thursday afternoon against the Eureka College Red Devils. In what amounted to the coldest game of the year so far, the Eagles faithfully turned out to support their soccer boys.

It took a few minutes for things to get rolling for either team as long touches and shots over the bar proved little danger. In the 10^th minute, the Red Devils capitalized when Tim Johnson (#3) sent a free kick into the box that Musoiu (#15) headed across the goal to charging teammate Shanahan (#7) who in turn headed the ball into the net. Nineteen minutes later, Bowen (#9) managed to get behind the Eagle defense off a throw-in and sneaked the ball into the side of the net for the 2-0 lead.

The Eagles, who struggled early to find space to shoot, responded in the 36^th minute with a goal of their own when Ryan Bell (#9) played in a perfect corner to teammate Tyler Tucker (#20) who played a beautiful header into the far net. The Eagles went into the half trailing by just a goal and looking for an equalizer.

It was Eureka who struck first, however, when Brady Thomas (#21), who had played for Lincoln Christian University against the Eagles in the previous season, managed to cut to his right foot and send home a well-placed ball into the right netting. The Eagles responded just a minute later, however, when Ryan Bell played a perfect through ball to Joe Olson (#3) who cut back to his right foot and put the shot away from 20 yards out.

Down by just a goal the Eagles again pushed for the equalizer and nearly had it in the 57^th minute when Bell sent a cross to the far post that Andy Bell (#4) nailed one time out of the air, prevented from scoring only by a diving save from Eureka keeper D. Johnson (#1).

In the 65^th minute Eureka's Brady Thomas struck again, this time after winning a ball at the top of the box on the right side and driving it home. For the next 20 minutes both teams pushed for their next goal, and this time it was Tim Johnson (#3) for Eureka who found space behind the Emmaus D and slotted home his team's 5^th goal of the game.

Emmaus, not a team to quit, had one final answer for the Red Devils when defender Kyle Pikaart made a fun and launched a shot from 30 yards at the goal. The Red Devil keeper bobbled the ball at the near post and it dropped behind him into the net. The final score was 5-3 in favor of the Red Devils.

"We always hope for the win, but I can't be upset with the way our guys played today. Everyone put in valuable minutes, we had a chance to experiment with a few positions before our upcoming ACCA tournament, and I really feel the guys played hard despite giving up 5 goals. Eureka is in the process of rebuilding their program and I was encouraged to see both sides play tough, yet clean soccer. Eureka head coach Dwain Barker is doing a top-notch job getting his guys ready to play while also coaching his boys' character. I wish them all the best as they wrap up their season this weekend. As for our boys, I am excited to see how they play next week in Joplin!" (Coach Brown).

The Emmaus men will be back in action next Friday and Saturday in Joplin, Missouri where they will participate in the ACCA national tournament. Game times are yet to be determined.