SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke fell to visiting Eastern Mennonite, 2-1 in ODAC men's soccer action at Kerr Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Maroons dropped to 11-4-3 on the season, 7-1 in the ODAC while the Royals improved to 7-5-5, 5-2-2 in the conference.
Prior to the start of the match, seniors
Jeff Bobish (Pittsburgh, PA, Sewickley Academy),
Chris Collins (Vinton, VA, William Byrd),
Tim Dunn (Towson, MD, Towson),
Taylor Johnston (Charleston, WV, Capital),
Kayvon Sarmadi (Roanoke, VA, Hidden Valley)and
Jon Marc Winchester (Raliegh, NC, Leesville)were recognized on senior day. This class has nearly 50 wins and three-straight 10-win seasons over the last four years.
Roanoke, which is now 35-13-3 against the Royals, were at a disadvantage in fouls called (16-8), but dominated on paper. They out-shot EMU, 25-7, 14-5 in shots on goal, including a slim 5-3 corner kicks advantage.
Eastern Mennonite got on the board first just over 15 minutes into action. Mitchell Leap scored off a header from Muoka Musau to give his team an early, 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later,
Michael Stark (Newport News, VA, Menchville)scored his sixth goal of the season off a header from
Matt Standley (Richmond, VA, Home School)free kick to tie the match at 1-1. It was Standley's third assist of the season.
Just four minutes before the half, Leap found the back of the net again for his 12th goal of the season unassisted for the eventual game-winner.
Collins led Roanoke with six shots, two on goal followed by
Jordan Troyer (Columbia, SC, The Hammond School)with four, three on goal. Stark added three shots, two on goal.
Ryan Russell (Danville, VA, GW Danville)finished with three saves in goal for the Maroons. Dillon Brunk had 13 saves in goal for the Royals.
The men will travel to Farmville, Va. to battle ODAC-foe Hampden-Sydney in their regular season finale. Roanoke is 25-10-2 against the Tigers, including a 2-1 last-second win in the ODAC Semifinals last season. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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