The Emory University men's soccer team saw its season end Sunday afternoon, falling to Colorado College in penalty kicks in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Following regulation and overtime that saw the teams stand even at 1-1, the contest went to penalties with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. The Tigers converted all five of their attempts while the Eagles went 3-for-4, sending CC onto the second weekend for the first time since 1993 where they'll meet Ohio Northern.

For Emory, the PK defeat marks the end of one of the greatest turnaround seasons in program history. Under Head Coach Cory Greiner, the team saw a seven-win improvement from a year ago, ending the year with a 12-3-4 record – the second-most wins in a single-season during the Greinerball era. The 2023 campaign also saw the team win its first UAA championship since 2012 and eighth in team history.

The first half saw Colorado College control the possession battle, outshooting the Eagles by a 6-3 margin. After recording the game's first two shots in the opening minutes, the Tigers broke through in the 22^nd minute. CC's Alexander Ward fired a beam right at senior keeper Peter Wagner, who made the initial stop by Connor Webster was in perfect position to punch in the rebound.

Freshman Michael Constant provided the Eagles' best scoring threat of the first half, putting a header on frame off an Alejandro Gomez set piece. However, Colorado's keeper made a fantastic diving save to preserve the lead.

Emory once again looked as if they had the equalizer, with not one but two chances moments apart in the 55^th minute. Junior Ryan Hayes found freshman Jaden Emoghene running unattended at the top of 18, who in turn ripped a one-timer to the right post but CC's Jasper Broad was there with another outstanding stop. The rebound went straight to Hayes but his put-back attempt sailed high over the crossbar.

The Eagles finally came through with the game-tying goal in the 84^th minute when Gomez headed in a Turner MacInnis centering pass. The goal marked Gomez's sixth tally of the season.

Both teams had one shot on frame over the final six minutes of regulation but could not convert. In overtime, the two sides combined for seven shots but none were on goal.

With 110 minutes come and gone, the game went to the deciding penalty kicks.

CC's Charlie Wagner and Emory's Gomez each converted in round one, however in round two Jack Hilliard had a successful attempt while Broad denied graduate student Colton Myers who went left.

Hayes and sophomore Josh Grand each converted for the Eagles in round three and four, but unfortunately it was Alexander Ward who earned the decisive make, putting in the game-winner in CC's fifth-and-final attempt.