HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – On a wonderful Wednesday for a game, the EMU Men’s Soccer team took a break from ODAC play to test their skills against a Division I foe, traveling an hour down I-81 to do battle with the Keydets of the Virginia Military Institute.

The Royals put their best foot forward in competing with a Division I opponent, with Ryan Lucero playing the role of hero of the afternoon with his equalizing goal in the waning minutes to give EMU an impressive 1-1 draw with VMI.

Records: EMU 3-6-1, 0-1 ODAC | VMI 4-8-1, 0-1 Southern

Highlights
• The first half featured decent scoring opportunities for both sides but no goals. VMI did find the back of the net once off of the foot of Sam Dowdy, but it was called back for an offsides.
• EMU’s had three shots on goal in the first half, one each from Jonathan Guzman, Ryan Lucero and Elijah Byrd.
• 67′ | The Keydets broke the stalemate midway through the second half with a shot off the foot of Jaden Moore, which found the upper right corner of the net past Royals goalkeeper Dennis Villalta.
• 83′ | With time running out, EMU came up with the game-tying tally. Xavier Barravino played a cross into the box for the left hand side, finding an unmarked Lucero who promptly struck the ball into net to knot the game at 1-1.
• VMI outshot EMU 20-10, but the Royals had the edge in shots on goal by a count of 8-4.

Statistical Leaders
Goals: Lucero (1)
Shots on Goal: Lucero (3), Elijah Byrd (2)
Saves: Villalta (3)

What’s Next
EMU Men’s Soccer will resume their ODAC slate at home this Saturday, Oct. 3, when they welcome in the Quakers of Guilford College. Opening whistle is set for 4 p.m., and it will be Senior Day for the Royals.

— EMU Athletics —