Late Goals Once Again See Emmaus Fall to Eureka for Second Time

The Emmaus men's soccer team took the pitch on a rainy Friday afternoon against the Red Devils of Eureka College (Eureka, IL). The match was the second between the two teams in 8 days as Eureka took the first one 2-1 in overtime despite Emmaus taking double the shots. Emmaus was eager for the rematch, especially on senior night.

Both teams came out a bit slow and struggled to adjust to the slippery surface. Eureka forward James Bowen (#9) nearly gave Eureka the lead on a breakaway but was called for offsides. Emmaus then created some close chances of their own on dangerous crosses, but Eureka's keeper Daniel Johnson (#1) proved up to the task. The teams went into the half tied at nil-nil with Emmaus holding a 6-1 shot advantage.

The second half saw a momentum shift toward the Eagles as they began to send wave after wave forward. Mason McCarl (#7) faked a defender in the back and saw his left footed effort cradled by the Johnson at the near post. Minutes later Anthony Flores (#10) weaved his way through the Eureka defense, only to have Johnson block his shot to the near post.

As the half wound down it looked like another overtime game might be in order, but somewhat against the run of play Eureka won a deep throw in which James Bown (#9) flicked to Michael Hanseon (#19) at the back post who put the shot away. Just three minutes later Eureka won just their second corner of the game when the Eagle defense failed to clear the ball and this time James Bowen (#9) won the header off of a beautiful cross from senior Brady Thomas (#21).

With just three minutes left on the clock the goal sealed the win for Eureka who managed to score two goals on only six shots in the game. Emmaus recorded sixteen.

"It was definitely disappointing to lose late like that, especially on senior night. I wanted the game for them more than I realized… but then again, this group of seniors is such a special group that I have no doubt they will be better for it. Hats off to Eureka as they hung around and earned two good wins against us this year. Coach Barker is doing a great job with his guys and the relationship between our team teams is getting better every year. As for our guys, we have been saying all year that win or loss, ups or downs, if we are becoming more like Jesus, then this season is a success. I say that humbly. These guys know that we need Jesus as much as anyone, and that is part of what makes coaching them such a joy. This is going to be a bittersweet home stretch of the season as every game out with this group has been a blessing, and the seniors have led the way." (Coach Brown)

The Eagles have the week off and will play regional foe Maranatha Baptist University (Waterton, WI) on Friday (Oct. 13th) at 3:30 before hosting NCCAA Division II #2 Kansas Christian College on Saturday.