Box Score For immediate release – 10/1/2016 - #067
Randolph Comes From Behind to Get Back to Winning Ways
HARRISONBURG, VA – The Randolph College men's soccer team came from a goal-down to beat Eastern Mennonite University 3-1 on Saturday night. The win was the first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) victory for the WildCats this season, and it gets the team back on the winning track after their seven-game unbeaten run was ended Wednesday.
While the offense was the bigger story later in the game, Erick Cortez-Martinez was the big story early. Both teams put shots near the goal in the first few minutes of the game, but none of them were too dangerous. Then in the 14th minute, Cortez-Martinez made his first stop. He made two more over the next five minutes to keep the game at 0-0. Then in the 22nd minute, Parker Leap corralled a loose ball in the box and scored to take the lead for EMU.
The deficit did not last long, as Nate Juth tied the game just over a minute later. Juth caught a pass from Adam Watson, and sent a low shot towards goal. It found its way into the back of the net to tie the score.
Both teams had a few good chances over the remainder of the period, but the goalies continued to be the story. Cortez-Martinez made a tough save while three Royals were in the box, keeping the score at 1-1 entering the half.
The second stanza belonged to Watson and the 'Cats. Travis Brown, Jonathan Powell, and Blake Heatherly all fired shots near the frame in the first three minutes. While Cortez-Martinez was forced to make two saves shortly after, the momentum would stay with Randolph.
Just after the end of the 52nd minute, Watson had received a ball outside the top of the penalty area. He worked his way around a defender, and he fired the shot in the back of the net, giving the WildCats a 2-1 advantage.
After the Royals fired a few errant shots, Watson completed his brace. He dribbled around a defender in the box and pushed the lead to 3-1, with less than 20 minutes to play. Both teams would threaten over the remaining time, but the game ended 3-1.
The double was Watson's third of the year, and it was the second time he has posted five points in a game this season. Cortez-Martinez added six saves in the win. Matthew Overacker stopped four shots for Eastern Mennonite (5-5-2 overall, 0-2 ODAC).
Randolph (6-2-2, 1-0-1) will have a week until its next game. The WildCats host Roanoke College (5-3-1, 2-0) as part of Homecoming Weekend. The 'Cats will take part in the final game, with kickoff set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
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