After debuting at No. 3 earlier this week in the United Soccer Coaches national poll, the Emory University men's soccer team earned a decisive victory Friday night as the Eagles blasted Maryville College, 7-1, on the campus of Berry College in Rome, Georgia.
Senior Adeyemi Oni and sophomore Jake Breitegan both collected braces in the win as Emory remained unbeaten at 5-0 overall while the defeat drops the Scots to 2-2-3.
The Eagles jumped out to an early advantage on Friday with a pair of goals within the opening 17 minutes. Junior Logan Steren started the festivities in the 13th minute with a volley shot from just inside the 18 after the loose ball bounced around in front of the goal. It was Steren's first goal since his game-winner during the opener against N0. 4 W&L and his second of the season. Three minutes and 30 seconds later, Oni recorded the first of his two in the contest with a header off the feed from Ignacio Cubeddu.
Maryville struck first in the second half as a goal by Ben Brophy in the 49th minute brought the game to a 2-1 scoreline. However, it was all Eagles from that point on as Emory had its second straight second half outburst, scoring five times over the final 33:03 to break the game wide open.
A successful penalty kick from junior Julian Hee in the 57th minute gave the Eagles another two-goal edge before Oni redirected an Owen Clark shot attempt in the 69th minute to put Emory up 4-1.
Senior Josh Grand and Breitegan supplied the action in the late moments as Grand notched his second successful penalty kick of the season, scoring in the 80th minute, before Breitegan notched a pair in the 82nd and 88th minutes. Grand registered his team-leading seventh assist on Breitegan's first goal with a long pass that split the defenders to give Breitegan a one-on-one chance with the Maryville keeper. Six minutes later, Finn Jacobson and Breitegan danced around the Scots defense for Emory's season-high seventh goal.
The Eagles look to close out a successful weekend in Rome as Emory is set to face the host Vikings on Saturday with a 7:00 PM kickoff.
