The Emory University and University of Rochester men's soccer teams played to a 1-1 tie in the regular season finale Saturday afternoon at the Woodruff PE Center in Atlanta, GA. Prior to the start of the match, the Eagles honored seniors William Jones, Corey Levine, Keegan McCombie, Trevor Stormes, Jimmy Tricolli and Jun Tsuru with an on-field ceremony.
The Eagles close out the regular season with a 9-5-4 overall record and were 2-2-3 in the University Athletic Association as the team finished fifth. The draw gives the Yellowjackets 11-5-1 record at season's end and were 3-3-1 in conference action as they finished in a three-way tie for second. Both teams will now await word from the NCAA selection committee which will be released during Monday's Selection Show at 1:30 PM. Postseason selections will be announced on NCAA.com.
Emory struck early in this one as Tsuru and freshman Alejandro Gomez teamed up to supply the Eagles with the early lead at the 16:59 minute mark of the first half. Gomez made a nifty move to get around his defender before sending an endline cross to Tsuru stationed inside the six-yard box where he headed it past UR's Hugh Curran for the goal.
The score remained 1-0 Eagles up until the 61:19 mark when Josh Cooley tied the score for the visitors. A chip on right wing meant for Tony Hypsher was disrupted by an Emory defender. The ball fell to the foot of Cooley, just outside the box and to the right of the penalty arc. Cooley spun quickly and lined the ball into the lower left corner beyond the reach of sophomore Max Carlson.
The Eagles had a chance to break the tie with 18 minutes left in regulation, but Levine headed it just over the crossbar. When the clock approaching 11 minutes to go, Rochester's James Barata had a shot from the right side of the box that got under the dive of Carlson. As the ball rolled towards the open net, defender Jones was able to clear the ball off the line.
Junior Nate Sampson had the best scoring chance for either side in the overtime period, bending a free kick around a three person wall but drilled the right post in the 91st minute. Rochester's best opportunity in extra time came from Hypsher when he avoided several defenders and raced into the box as Carlson ran out. The Emory goalkeeper was able to kick it away from him however before a shot could be taken.
The game was evenly matched as both teams finished with 19 shots apiece. Rochester edged out the Eagles, 8-5, in shots on goal and was able to win the corner kick battle, 13-6.
Carlson made six saves after replacing Stormes in the 12th minute as the senior was forced from the game with an injury following a collision in the box. Curran made four saves for the visitors.