Under the Lights

Manhattan, KS - September 15, 2023

In a challenging away fixture, Emmaus Bible College faced the Manhattan Christian College Thunder in a game that showcased both defensive resilience and offensive determination. In a high-tempo encounter that unfolded under the lights on the turf, Tucker Kapas, once again a stalwart in goal for the Eagles, made nine crucial saves to keep his team in the contest.

The Thunder struck early, with Cristian Gutierrez opening the scoring in the 7th minute, putting Manhattan up 1-0. Chris Smith doubled the lead in the 11th minute, presenting a significant challenge for the Eagles. Despite being down 2-0 at halftime, Kapas's point-blank saves late in the first half kept Emmaus within striking distance.

The second half saw the Eagles regroup, defending resolutely and maintaining their shape to thwart Manhattan's attacking efforts. A breakthrough for Emmaus came in the 73rd minute when Edwin Ventura-Magallon collected a loose ball at the top of the box, skillfully maneuvered it, and slotted home his first goal of the year, bringing the Eagles within a goal. However, Manhattan sealed the victory with a second goal from Gutierrez in the 78th minute, securing a 3-1 win.

Despite the defeat, Emmaus coach Chris McHugh commended the team's efforts, stating, "Manhattan was very good today. It was a fast, physical game on the turf and under the lights. Tucker made some big saves, and Zach Ort and Caleb Johnson were really strong in the back for us. It was great to see Edwin score, and I'm really proud of how we matched the intensity of the game."

Next up: Emmaus at Ozark Christian College on Friday, September 22 at 4pm in Joplin, MO.