Sweet Success for Six Seniors on Senior Night
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lincoln Christian University () | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Emmaus Bible College () | 1 | 2 | 3 |
The Emmaus men's soccer team kicked off their final home match of the season on Tuesday afternoon when they hosted the Red Lions of Lincoln Christian University (Lincoln, IL). It was senior night, and the current batch of six Emmaus seniors had yet to defeat Lincoln in their Emmaus careers.
The match kicked off with both teams adjusting to a bouncy surface and passing accuracy a struggle. Emmaus settled in first, creating a few dangerous attacks down the flanks. It was the Red Lions, however, who managed to get on the board first in the 10th minute when they won a corner kick against the run of play. Cornelius Lawhorn (#21) found midfielder Josh Diaz (#10) whose close range shot bounced off of the post, and Emmaus defender, and back into the net.
The goal seemed to wake up the Eagles as they began to pour on the pressure. They were rewarded for their efforts in the 23rd minutes when they won a corner off of a clear handball in the Lincoln box. Senior Carson McBain (#11) stepped up, but his upper ninety shot pinged off the crossbar and back into play. Emmaus was forced to play for more opportunities to tie the match.
Another opportunity came in the 35th minute when a scramble in the Lincoln box allowed Mason McCarl (#7) to fire off a close range shot, but his shot also struck woodwork and came back into play. Finally, in the 39th minute, McBain launched a massive throw to the far post which McCarl won cleanly and headed past the Red Lions keeper. The two teams went into the half tied 1-1 despite Emmaus having outshot the Red Lions 14-3.
The second half was almost all Emmaus. Several high quality shots came close to giving the Eagles the lead, but Lincoln's keeper Michael Brand (#0) made some high quality saves to keep the match close. Another quality shot by Fabian Parra (#3) hit the crossbat in the 68th minute. The team was beginning to wonder if they were fated to get a few extra minutes on senior night as the woodwork just wasn't their friend.
The Eagles efforts finally paid off, however, in the 73rd minute when Anthony Flores (#10) sent in a perfect corner that senior Sammy Gitonga (#6) deflected toward goal. Unfortunately, fellow senior Neal Johnson (#4) just happened to be in the ball's course, blocking the shot. The rebound, however, came straight to McCarl's feet, who put the goal away to give Emmaus the 2-1 lead. Just minutes later, Carson McBain nearly added to the lead when he drove a ball from 30 yards out that rocketed toward goal, only to once again strike the crossbar and bounce back into play. In the 78th minute, the Eagles finally put the match away when McBain won possession at midfield, took a couple of dribbles, and sent a perfect through ball in to McCarl, who launched the ball into the back of the net, completing the hat trick to give the Eagles the 3-1 lead.
The final minutes of the game saw Lincoln press some to get back into the match, but stingy Eagle defense was up for the task, turning away the few chances that were created. In the final minute of play the Eagles were able to more or less clear the bench to sub out five of the six seniors (keeper Gabriel Salinas remained in goal); Neal Johnson (#4), Carson McBain (#11) Sammy Gitonga (#6), Tim Barton (#8), and Anthony Flores (#10) all took their exit from their home field for the very last time in their careers, victorious over the Lincoln Red Lions.
After the match, the six seniors were honored for their contributions to the Emmaus soccer program both as players, and spiritual leaders to their teammates and fellow students. The night ended when the student body joined the Eagles in their favorite song, "Kids of the Kingdom, that's what we are," as everyone present was reminded of the things that matter most. Sure, "soccer is fun, but don't take it too seriously," said several of the seniors. "Grow, serve others, and glorify God. That's what it is all about."
Coach Brown had the following to say about the seniors and their final home match: "These are my boys. I have been so privileged to coach this group of seniors, several of them for a full four years. There is no doubt out success this year and as a program in general can be traced directly to this group and some of the seniors that have gone before. This is a special group, and all year they have led by example, demonstrating servant's hearts, humility, and constant reminders that soccer is fun. When Carson missed his PK tonight, I thought I would have to reassure him. His response, 'Coach, I am having fun,' was all I needed to hear. He and the others have matured into leaders that I can count on, because they don't take themselves too seriously. They know that we are just silly sheep who need to learn to trust our Chief Shepherd. This was a fun night. The win was sweet, but their success was bigger and sweeter because these boys love Jesus, and they want others to know Him too."
The Eagles moved to 8-3-1 on the season after outshooting the Red Lions 32-10. The Eagles will play their final match of the season on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Chicago to take on a tough regional opponent in Moody Bible Institute. Kickoff is set for 2:00.