DANVILLE, Va. (EMU Athletics) – Seeking a rebound from a Senior Day loss, the EMU Men’s Soccer team loaded up the bus for a southward journey to Danville for a dual with Averett University. The trip proved successful as the Royals beat Averett, 4-1.

Records: EMU 4-7-1, 1-2 ODAC | Averett 0-8, 0-3 ODAC

Highlights
• 33′ | Averett opened the scoring late on the first half on a goal by Edgar Carbajal that snuck past EMU goalkeeper Dennis Villalta and into the lower right corner of the net, putting the Cougars up 1-0.
• 40′ | However, the Royals were quick to roar back and respond. An EMU corner kick into the box was deflected by Brady Crisp to Hector Ortiz, who then boomed the ball with his right foot into the net to tie the game at 1-1. It was Ortiz’s second goal in as many games, having That would also be the score at halftime.
• 46′ | EMU came out firing out of the break, scoring 38 seconds into the second half. Brandon Hernandez sent a beautiful cross into the box from the left side, which Kane Kiernan tapped with his left foot and past the Averett keeper for a 2-1 Royals lead. For Kiernan, it was his team-leading third goal of the season.
• 79′ | Kiernan’s goal proved to be a sign of things to come for the Royals in the second half. Elijah Byrd booted a superb ball from the edge of the attacking third to Chris Salazar, who ran into the box and kicked the ball with his left foot past the outstretched hand of the Averett keeper. That made the score EMU 3, Averett 1. It was Salazar’s first career goal.
• 87′ | However, Salazar was not done collecting goals. A shot by Xavier Barravino was stopped by the Averett goalie, but Salazar was in the right place at the right time to put back the rebound to make it a brace on the evening.
• This marked EMU’s second straight win over Averett, and they are unbeaten in their past four contests against the Cougars (2-0-2).

Statistical Leaders
Goals: Salazar (2), Kiernan (1), Ortiz (1)
Shots on Goal: Salazar, Ortiz, Crisp (2)
Saves: Dennis Villalta (2)

What’s Next
EMU Men’s Soccer will head home for Homecoming this Saturday, Oct. 10, when they face off with nationally-ranked Lynchburg. Opening kick at the EMU Turf Field versus the Hornets is scheduled for 4 p.m.

— EMU Athletics —