Eagles Pick Up First Win, Split Weekend Conference Games

MANHATTAN, KS – The Emmaus Eagles Men's Soccer Team had a productive weekend as they traveled to Manhattan, KS to take on the MCC Thunder and the Bears of Barclay College. Traveling with only 12 players due to COVID quarantines, the Eagles managed themselves well to come away with their first win of the season.

First, the Eagle men took on the Thunder of Manhattan Christian College, a team which qualified for the 2020 NCCAA Div. II National Tournament, who also were ranked 7^th in the nation at the time of kickoff. The game started slowly with Manhattan controlling most of the possession. The Eagles held the Thunder at bay for 25 minutes, but ultimately Manhattan found a breakthrough. After finding a goal in the last seconds of the first half, Manhattan took a 3-0 lead into the break. The second half proved an exercise in fitness management as Manhattan scored 5 more to take the match 8-0.

Speaking of the match, Emmaus' assistant coach Cliff Conrad said, "This was a tough one tonight, but I'm proud of how the team managed themselves and their fitness well. Playing two games in two days is a difficult thing to ask, but it's important that we play within our ability and make sure that we are healthy for the next day when we do."

With the next kickoff just 16 hours away, recovery began immediately for the Eagles. Upon arriving at the team hotel, an ice bath was prepared for players to ease the sore muscles and jumpstart fitness for the following day.

Saturday saw the Eagles take on the Bears of Barclay College, with kickoff set for high noon. The eagles started the match quickly, creating several promising chances in the early exchanges, but weren't able to find the opener. In the 35^th minute, Jude Baker found his brother James with a searching ball played in behind the Bears' defense. With Steven Sam in support, James unselfishly rolled the ball over to Sam, who thumped the ball past the Barclay goalkeeper to open the scoring. Just a few minutes later, a Barclay defender was judged to have handled the ball in the penalty box, and captain Zach Ort calmly converted the penalty kick to double the Emmaus lead.

Despite being down 2-0, Barclay pressed on, and halved the Emmaus lead just before halftime. After a ball was played long over the heads of the Emmaus defenders, freshman Josh Matte chased down a Barclay attacker, skillfully tackling the ball away before stumbling into the Bears' forward and conceding a penalty kick. Senior goalkeeper Luca Drago was able to get a hand on the ensuing penalty kick, but it wasn't enough to keep the ball out of the net.

The second half was a battle of will and fitness as both teams were shorthanded and suffering in the Kansas heat. The eagles held on the ball well and committed themselves to limiting chances for Barclay to get back into the game. An injury with 20 minutes to play left Emmaus without any options off the bench, but the team buckled down and survived some late pressure from Barclay to seal the win, 2-1.

It was the first college win for the majority of the young Emmaus team, with the 2020 season having been cancelled. Emmaus head coach Chris McHugh praised the team, saying "The guys found a way to win today, and sometimes they have to figure it out themselves. It was a good team win and I'm thankful that everyone is healthy!"

Emmaus return to action with another weekend doubleheader, facing division rivals Maranatha and the Lincoln Christian University Red Lions on September 24^th and 25^th, respectively.