EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Men's Soccer Team (2-0-1) was able to hold a one-goal lead for the final 35 minutes of the match as it defeated William Peace University (2-2) by a 3-2 score Sunday afternoon at Fred Selfe Stadium. The match was part of the 2014 Emory & Henry Soccer Invitational.
Emory & Henry got on the board just 3:47 into the contest when senior midfielder Kenny Sterne (Lynchburg, Va.) collected a loose ball inside the six-yard box and put it in the back of the net.
William Peace equalized less than three minutes later (6:07) when Brandon Page's saved shot fell at the feet of Dylan Shields, who placed it in the back of the net.
The Wasps would retake the lead in the 34th minute of the contest. Junior forward Pierce Moreland (Bristol, Tenn.) passed up a shot in favor of an opportunity by sophomore forward Zach Quest (Charlotte, N.C.). Quest beat the out-of-position goalkeeper to the back post for his team-leading third score of the season.
Emory & Henry put another score on the board quickly after the break to go up 3-1 on the Pacers. Freshman midfielder Cody Carruth (Powhatan, Va.) gained possession in front of the goal and passed the ball out for senior midfielder Jared Eiriksson (Blackstone, Va.), who blasted it into the goal just 29 seconds into the second half.
WPU made it a one-goal contest with 34:53 left to go. Alex Donadio received a pass from Enrique Ochoa while streaking down the left touchline and dribbled it in past the E&H defense. Faced with a one-on-one with the Wasp goalkeeper, Donadio went to the top 90 on the far side for the goal and the 3-2 margin.
The two squads battled for the remainder of the match, but neither would add to their tally. Emory & Henry held a 16-11 advantage on shots and led 7-4 on corner kicks. Both the Pacers and the Wasps wanted to push the tempo of the contest, as they were called for five and three offside violations each.
E&H sophomore goalkeeper Didier Grillet (Matthews, N.C.) earned the win in goal, stopping five shots while William Peace's Connor Johnston made four saves despite the loss.
The E&H women also picked up a win Sunday afternoon, marking the first time since a September 5, 2012 doubleheader with Ferrum College that both soccer teams won at home on the same day. The Wasps will have an opportunity to repeat Sunday's performance on Wednesday afternoon when Ferrum visits Fred Selfe Stadium for a doubleheader. The women's game will begin at 5:00 p.m., while the men are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m., kickoff.
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-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston, E&H '15