Eagles Take Season Opener

The Emmaus Eagles secured their first win of the 2023 campaign, with a 5-1 victory over Maranatha Baptist, on a sun-filled opening day at Fish Field.  It was an electrifying start for the Eagles, and marks the beginning of what hopes to be an exciting season in Dubuque.

With both teams eager to make their mark in the season opener, the game unfolded with a sense of anticipation and energy. Emmaus, playing in front of a passionate home crowd, demonstrated their determination from the kickoff. The Eagles' teamwork and movement revealed hopes for an early lead, which came in the first 10 minutes.

The game's narrative was driven by the scoring prowess of Emmaus, with Cristian Anderson seizing the spotlight. Anderson's impact was immediate, scoring the opening goal in the 7th minute, setting the tone for Emmaus' dominant display. His second goal in the 83rd minute further solidified Emmaus' commanding performance.

However, it wasn't just Anderson who shone in this game. Emmaus witnessed a burst of first-collegiate-goals celebrations, with Caleb Hunter finding the net in the 30th minute, Josiah Tuttle in the 59th minute, and Kaleb Pogany in the 73rd minute. This series of inaugural goals highlighted the depth and versatility of Emmaus' attacking lineup.

Tucker Kapas, making his collegiate debut as Emmaus' goalkeeper, also emerged as a standout player, making nine saves. His agile and confident presence between the posts proved crucial in preserving Emmaus' opening day victory.

After the game Coach McHugh had this to share, "This is an excellent result and great way to start the season! This is our first ever victory over Maranatha, and to have 4 different goal-scorers to open the season gives us a lot of momementum and optimism as we move forward."

Next up: Emmaus travels to Ankeny, IA for a neutral site match versuses the Spurgeon Knights on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 4pm.