The Emory University men's soccer team is making a return visit to the national quarterfinals after the Eagles blanked Rowan University, 2-0, Saturday evening at Shellenberger Field on the campus of the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. It will be Emory's first trip to the Elite Eight since 2017 and the third-ever appearance in program history.
The Eagles will look to punch its ticket to the Final Four for the first time in team history on Sunday and is set to oppose Dickinson College with a spot in the national semifinals up for grabs. The Red Devils knocked off the host Hornets, 1-0, in Round of 16 action Saturday afternoon.
Emory recorded its ninth shutout of the season on Saturday as the backline limited the Profs to seven shots across the 90 minutes including only four on target. The Eagles won the shot battle, 18-7, and had eight on frame. Physicality played a role in the affair as the teams combined for 21 fouls and nine cards - including a red card that forced Rowan to play a man down for the final seven minutes.
Both teams saw limited chances in the first half as the two teams totaled 10 shots, four on goal. The game was scoreless until the closing moments when the Eagles cashed in a last-second goal before the halftime horn. Junior
Logan Steren netted his sixth goal of the campaign when he scored in the final seconds as he tapped in a loose ball right on the goal line.
The second half saw Emory maintain its momentum from the last-second goal, contributing to an 11-4 advantage in second half opportunities. Junior goalkeeper
Geoffrey Halpern made three of his four saves in the second half to preserve the shutout including a pair of big-time stops in the 76th and 90 minutes.
Senior
Adeyemi Oni added a much needed insurance goal as well as he picked up his eighth goal of the season in the 84th minute. Oni outran the Profs defense to the ball over top before beating the Rowan keeper one-on-one and slotting home the shot.
Sunday's Elite Eight matchup from Lynchburg is set to get underway at 3:00 PM.
