HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – After being off for a week, the Royals returned to the pitch Wednesday night, opening ODAC play against Randolph Macon.

The Yellow Jackets were able to pick up a goal in the games’ 11th minute, and added three more in the second half, en route to a 4-0 win.

Records: EMU 1-5-1, 0-1-0 ODAC | Randolph Macon 3-3-2, 1-0-0 ODAC

Highlights
• The Royals best offensive chance came just 19 seconds into the game. After a Yellow Jacket pass was stolen by Esme Cardoso, she dumped a pass to Leah Beachy, who fired a shot on goal that was saved by the RMC keeper. In the sixth minute, Leah Cap came up big for the Royals defense. As EMU keeper Katie Parks came out to cut a ball off, the attacker got by her and put a shot on goal. But Cap was standing right there to get rid of the attempt and keep Macon off the board.
• In the 11th minute, off a corner kick, a ball was sent into the box. It deflected off Parks to RMC’s Ally Spangler. Spangler put a shot on goal that deflected off her own teammate, right to Madison Blanchard, who finished the shot for a 1-0 RMC lead. Parks made two saves in the rest of the half, as Randolph Macon took a 1-0 lead into the break.
• CJ Jefferson replaced Parks in goal to start the second half and was tested right away. The Yellow Jackets offense put four shots on goal in a span of seven minutes, but Jefferson saved them all. In the 65th minute, Emma Owens was able to get one past Jefferson, adding to RMC’s lead. Owens put in her second goal in the 73rd minute, to extend Randolph Macon’s lead to three.
• The Royals had two opportunities late in the game, coming off the feet of Beachy and Maggie Ladd, but both shots sailed wide. Macon’s final goal came in the 86th minute, when Owens tried for a hat trick. Her shot was saved by Jefferson, but the rebound came to Spangler who found the back of the net for the final score.

Statistical Leaders
Saves: Jefferson (8)
SOG: Beachy (1)

What’s Next
EMU will head to Lynchburg on Saturday, for an ODAC matchup against Randolph. Kickoff against the WildCats is set for 4:00 pm.

— EMU Athletics —