(HARRISONBURG, Va.) – Wilson fell to Eastern Mennonite in men's soccer action on the road on Saturday evening. The Phoenix held the Royals scoreless for the first half of play, but the Royals were able to break through in the 59th minute and made it hold up the rest of the way for the win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 0, Eastern Mennonite 1
Venue: EMU Turf Field
Records: Wilson 2-5-2, Eastern Mennonite 4-1-3
How It Happened
- After a quiet 10 minutes to open the game, EMU found itself with the first offensive chances with shots in the 14th and 15th minutes. Wilson was able to counter after the latter and Andrew Bailey (Jr., Mount Airy, Md. / Linganore) provided the first Phoenix shot in the 17th which needed a save. Jace Williams (Jr., Chesapeake, Va. / Hickory) followed with a shot that went high in the 25th. A corner kick in the 32nd minute set up Liam Yeatman (Sr., Roseland, Va. / Phoenixville) and Landon Howe (Jr., Martinsburg, W.Va. / St. Maria Goretti), but both shots were off target. Williams had one last attempt in the half, but the shot went wide left.
- The Royals put the pressure on at the start of the second half with three shots and three corner kicks in the first 15 minutes. The hosts then took advantage of a foul and scored on a set piece when Elijah Byrd found Logan Darrow for a goal in the 59th minute. Bailey nearly equalized just over a minute later on a free kick himself, but hit the crossbar. Omar Cortez (So., Columbia, Tenn. / Spring Hill) lined a shot that was saved in the 76th minute, Howe sent one over the top in the 82nd, and Christopher Natale (So., Mount Airy, Md. / Linganore) had a take that was saved in the final moments to keep Wilson off the board.
Inside The Numbers
- EMU led the shot chart by a 14-9 count overall and a 7-3 count in shots on goal. Corner kicks also favored the Royals 4-2.
- Gerson Navarro (Jr., Manassas Park, Va. / Manassas Park) was solid between the pipes and made six saves while playing the full 90.
Up Next
With non-conference play now complete, the Phoenix turns their attention to action in the United East. League play will start on Saturday as they travel to Lancaster Bible to take on the Chargers at noon.
