2008 Men's Soccer Season Recap

The Emory University Men's Soccer Team recorded one of the most successful seasons in the program's history in 2008, as the squad claimed its first University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship since the 1998 season, advanced in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time since the 1988 season, and matched a program record with 16 wins during the campaign.

The Eagles finished the season with a 16-2-1 record, marking the first time in school history that the team has had back-to-back 16-win seasons, and just the sixth time overall that the team has reached that win total.  Emory broke a school record by winning 16-consecutive games to open the season, before losing in its regular-season finale, making the Eagles one of the final three undefeated and untied teams in Division III in 2008.  Emory finished the regular season ranked ninth in Division III (the highest final ranking in the program's history), and were ranked as high as fourth in the Nation during the season.

After receiving a first-round bye in the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament, the Eagles advanced in the bracket for the first time in 20 years, after a 1-1 tie against North Carolina Wesleyan College ended with a 3-2 Emory victory in the shootout.  However, the Eagles were eliminated by a 2-0 loss to Christopher Newport University in the round of 16, ending the team's tournament run.

Earlier in the season, the Eagles' clinched their first University Athletic Association Championship since the 1998 season, recording a 6-1-0 record in conference matches.  Emory was led in conference play by senior forward Patrick Carver, who was named the UAA Player of the Year for the second-consecutive season, and freshman Ben Schlang, who was named the UAA Rookie of the Year.  In addition, the Eagles had a program-record eight-players named to the all-UAA team.  Carver and fellow senior Marc Del Marmol were both named all-Americans, while goalkeeper Jonathan Laycock earned a spot on the all-South Region team.

During the season, Emory outscored their opponents by an impressive 57-14 margin, outshooting opposing teams 345-140.  The Eagles finished the season ranked sixth in Division III in winning percentage (0.868), 11th in shutout percentage (0.58), 13th in scoring offense (3.0 goals per game), and 27th in team goals-against average (0.72).  The Eagles went 4-1 against ranked opponents in 2008.

Emory was also dominant at home during the season, compiling a 10-0-1 record at the Woodruff Physical Education Center.  It marked the first time in school history that the Eagles have won 10 or more games at home during a season, and the second time the team has gone undefeated.

Emory head coach Sonny Travis and his assistants Jacques Edeline, Ben McKenzie and Daniel Guertin were named the UAA Coaching Staff of the Year for their efforts during the season.  Travis improved his two-year ledger at Emory to 32-5-1.

The following Eagles earned postseason honors during the 2008 season: