HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Randolph-Macon men's soccer team traveled to Eastern Mennonite to continue conference play, which turned into a defensive battle between both teams and resulted in a 1-1 tie.
The Basics
Score: Randolph-Macon 1, Eastern Mennonite 1
Venue: Harrisonburg, Va. // Eastern Mennonite University // EMU Turf Field
Records: Randolph-Macon (6-2-2, 0-1-1 ODAC); Eastern Mennonite (5-2-5, 0-1-3 ODAC)
How it Happened
- RMC grabbed the first offensive chance of the night just 46 seconds into the match on a shot from Zach Richards (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown) that connected with the post. EMU answered with two shots of their own in the first five minutes. From that point on, it became a defensive battle with each team recording just one more shot in the first half and the teams took a 0-0 tie into the break.
- The Yellow Jackets came out of the break with chances to break the deadlock on shots from junior forward Davian Jackson (Newport News, Va./Menchville) and freshman forward Barrett Wilson (Lexington, S.C./Lexington) seven minutes into the half. In the 56th minute, RMC broke the tie on a penalty kick goal from senior defender Wiley Eubank (Raleigh, N.C./Broughton) for a 1-0 lead.
- Just minutes later, EMU found the equalizer in the 62nd minute on a shot from outside the box by Itzar Mejia Arteaga. In the 72nd minute, the Royals had a chance to grab the lead, but Bryce Kuberek (King George, Va./King George) made a tremendous slide tackle to keep the match level.
- Eight minutes later, Davian Jackson sent a shot on goal that forced the Royals' keeper to make a save to keep the match level. Tyler Oakes (Nottingham, England/Toothill School) was essential at center mid, halting the EMU attack while helping build the attack. Jadon Hawker (Danville, Va./Tunstall) was subbed in and out throughout the game, creating pressure for the Yellow Jackets up top. For the rest of the game, both squads had chances to grab the go-ahead goal, but neither RMC nor EMU could break through the other's backline and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Inside the Numbers
- EMU outshot RMC 12-10 overall, while the Yellow Jackets led with three shots on goal to the Royals' two.
- Through 90 minutes of play, Randolph-Macon had seven corner kicks; meanwhile, Eastern Mennonite only had three.
- Davian Jackson played 58 minutes and led RMC with four shots.
- Eubank remains perfect on penalty kicks, going 3-3 so far this season.
- Eubank, Davian Jackson and Hawker tallied the Yellow Jackets' three shots on goal.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon returns to Ashland to host No. 20-ranked Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday, October 8, to continue conference play at 7:00 p.m.
