The men's soccer team ended their season and NCAA tournament run with a 3-0 loss to the top-ranked Messiah College Falcons (Penn.) on Sunday. The Eagles finished their season with a record of 11-7-2.
While facing their first top-ranked opponent in program history, the undefeated Falcons, the Eagles played a tough game, outshooting Messiah 10-9. Both teams recorded four shots on goal.
Head Coach Sonny Travis was pleased with his team's effort in the second half of play.
"Our first half was not good," he said. "We kind of woke up in the second half and realized that we can play with this team."
Messiah struck first, with sophomore forward Jack Thompson delivering a goal in the ninth minute of play.
Emory's best scoring chance of the half came nine minutes later when junior forward Andrew Jones found himself with a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper. But the Falcon's senior goalkeeper Jake Berry managed to deflect the ball just wide of the net by Falcons.
Messiah pulled ahead to 2-0 on a shot from sophomore midfielder Jeremy Payne at 23:53. The Falcons broke through the Eagles' defense once again early in the second half when junior forward Joshua Wood secured a pass from Payne and sent it past Emory goalkeeper Abe Hannigan.
The Eagles had chances late, with two shots from senior midfielder Andrew Natalino just missing the net. This game marks just the third time that the team has been shut out this season.
Hannigan recorded one save on the day, finishing the season with a record of 9-4-0 and leading another strong defensive effort from the Eagles. The team held Messiah to just four shots on goal on the day and only four shots in the first half.
Emory became the first team to outshoot Messiah since Ohio Wesleyan University on Sept. 9, 2011. The Eagles have outshot every opponent but one in the team's 20 games in 2012.
This loss marks the end of a record-setting season for Emory. The Eagles won a share of the University Athletic Association title in dramatic fashion, earning a pair of 1-0 road victories in their final two games against ranked opponents. It was the team's first conference championship since 2008.
Even more impressive was the team's second-half resurgence following a 2-4-1 start. The Eagles closed the season with a 9-3-1 record in their last 13 games.
"This season has been incredible," senior defender David Garofalo said. "After the start we had, just to bounce back was truly special."
Travis noted the need to earn home field matches in the NCAA Tournament in the future.
"During the tournament, we were on the road for five straight days," he said. "That's tough."
Emory began the tournament with a dominant win in the opening round over Roanoke College, just the second tournament victory in program history.
The individual accomplishments of various Eagles were just as noteworthy. Natalino led the team with 31 points and 14 goals, and became the first Eagle to score multiple goals in a postseason game. Garofalo led the Eagles with six assists and provided the team with invaluable senior leadership.
"The seniors this year were incredible," said sophomore forward Dylan Price. "They are leaving a huge void and will be incredibly missed."
Price finished second on the team in goals and points and matched a program single-season record with seven game-winning goals. It was truly a team effort, however, that carried the Eagles to the second round of the NCAAs.
"If you look throughout the season, different players popped up to contribute at different teams," Garofalo said. "Natty [Andrew Natalino], [Michael] Rheaume, Carl [Credle], Sebastian [Hardington] all had incredible goals that saved our season."
The season is over, but the Eagles leave behind a legacy that will carry long past 2012.
"I think our seniors set a new standard," said Travis. " I think they leave behind a legacy of excellence."
– By Ryan Smith
