For the first time since 2012, the Emory University men's soccer team captured the University Athletic Association championship as the Eagles clinched the league's automatic qualifier with a dominating 4-1 victory over NYU Sunday afternoon in Atlanta.
In a matchup that featured the conference's top two programs so far this season, it was Emory that left no doubt coming away with the three-goal win. The Eagles last clinched a share of the UAA title 11 years ago with a 4-2-1 record while this year's current 5-0 record in league play represents the most UAA wins by an Emory squad since 2008.
Four first half goals, including two inside the game's opening seven minutes, set the tone for what would be a celebratory afternoon for the Greinerball faithful.
Senior Jake Atallah led off the scoring with a rainbow header over the Violets' keeper just 4:05 minutes into play.
It took only two minutes and 33 seconds for the Eagles to score again when graduate student Colton Myers netted the first of his two goals in the contest as he recorded his third brace of the season. Junior Sebastian Rincon had a switch pass out wide to sophomore Josh Grand, who then centered it to Myers, allowing him to curl a shot in between the leaping NYU keeper and the near post.
Myers continued the scoring in the 38th minute when he connected with freshman Lorenzo Avalos for the third goal of the afternoon. Avalos beat a Violet defender to get a pass off into the center, finding Myers who then settled it and launched it into the top left corner.
In another quick burst of action, Avalos completed the first half scoring barrage as he joined in at the 39:56 mark. Avalos notched his first career goal, heading in a Logan Steren free kick to add to the commanding lead.
The Eagles turned defensive in the second half, allowing just one penalty kick goal in the 54th minute and three shots on goal total over the final 45 minutes to seal the title.
Emory will head on the road for the final two games of the regular season across the next two weekends, beginning with a matchup at the University of Chicago on Saturday, October 28 at 2:30 PM ET.