EMU Men’s Soccer began conference play with a 2-1 win on the road in Roanoke last Wednesday evening. Goals in the second half by junior Ford DeVault and first-year Yan Cesar proved to be the difference in the ODAC opener. It was the Royal’s first win against the Maroons since 2015.
A stagnant first half ended scoreless with minimal scoring chances. Much of the possession was held by the Maroons, but they were unable to create any threatening runs. Both teams combined for only one shot on frame in the first 45 minutes.
Things picked up quickly in the second half. The game was back and forth with both teams creating multiple dangerous scoring opportunities. EMU finally broke through in the 60th minute when DeVault received the ball at the top of the box and fired it into the right corner for his 5th goal of the year.
The scoring chance was created by first-year Simon Yoder after he intercepted and sent a ball splitting the Maroon defenders. “He was able to slip me in on goal so I had a 1v1 against the keeper,” DeVault said. “Simon made it easy for me so all I had to do was pick my head up and pick a spot to shoot.”
“Beating a team like Roanoke who was projected to finish ten spots above us in the preseason ODAC poll is a huge confidence builder for us,” DeVault added. “It showed us that every game on our schedule could go either way and it has kept us motivated during practices to get better so we can continue to feel that winning feeling.”
In the 73rd minute, the Royals added to their lead when Cesar connected with a long ball sent into the box by first-year Hudson Acocella following a free kick. Cesar netted his 3rd goal of the season giving the Royals a 2-0 lead with 17 minutes to play in the game.
“It felt great to get my first ODAC goal and to be able to celebrate with my team,” Cesar said. “It builds so much confidence just knowing all our hard work pays off.”
Roanoke showed life late in the game after Kyle Butcher snuck one past Royals keeper, Andrew Arledge in the 84th minute. Despite the one goal given up, EMU’s defense stayed strong the rest of the game, ending with a 2-1 victory. Arledge had four key saves keeping the Maroons off the scoreboard for a second time.
The Royals were winless in conference play a season ago with a very young team. Starting 1-0 has put them in the right direction. “They’ve worked really hard this season and I was happy they proved to themselves that they can beat some of the best teams in our conference,” Coach Carey said. “Everything they’ve been doing this year has given them the belief that they could beat a team like Roanoke.”
You can next find the Royals at home on Wednesday Sept. 27 against Randolph-Macon at 7 p.m and again on Sept. 30 when they travel to Greensboro, NC to take on Guilford.
