HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – The Royals battled to the bitter end.

In Wednesday’s LAX matchup against visiting Muskingum, EMU trailed early, tied things in the third, trailed again in the fourth, and almost made a second comeback, falling just short in a 10-9 loss.

Records: EMU 0-7, 0-0 ODAC | Muskingum 4-3, 0-0 OAC

Highlights

First Quarter
• EMU took an early 1-0 lead, after a Muskies turnover and a successful clear attempt. Hailey Walker then put her shot past the MU keeper for her first goal of the season and a 1-0 Royals lead.
• A minute and a half later, Muskingum tied things at one after an EMU turnover. They then took a 2-1 lead at the 6:23 mark after a Joelle Blosser shot was saved and the Muskies followed up with a successful clear attempt.

Second Quarter
• MU pushed their lead to 4-1 with quick back-to-back goals to start the second. EMU continued to pepper the Muskies keeper with shots, with two coming from Ava Walker and Blosser, but she saved both.
• Alyssa Hunter added her first save of the game at the 10:05 mark and that was followed by an EMU goal from A. Walker, pulling the Royals within two. Just a minute later, Blosser was fouled and buried her free position shot past the Muskingam keeper, cutting MU’s lead to 4-3.
• The Muskies added two more goals in the frame, but just before halftime, Shayleigh Sims netted her first goal of the game, sending the teams to the locker room with MU leading 6-4.

Third Quarter
• The third quarter was all EMU, as Ava Schwartz and Blosser each scored in the first 47 seconds to tie the game at six. Hunter added four saves in the period as the stalemate continued into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter
• Blosser fed A. Walker to start the fourth, who put her shot past the Muskies keeper, giving EMU their second lead of the game, 7-6, with just under 12 minutes to play.
• Muskingum grabbed the lead right back with four unanswered goals in a span of four minutes, forcing EMU to play comeback yet again. And they almost did, as Blosser added her third and four goals, pulling the Royals back within one with 3:39 left in the game.
• Hunter came up with a save to keep EMU in striking distance, but both of EMU’s shot went wide in the final minute and Muskingum secured the win.

Statistical Leaders
Goals: Blosser (4 – career high), A. Walker (2)
Assists: Blosser and A. Walker (1)
Saves: Hunter (8)
Ground Balls: Kaylene Todd (5)
Caused Turnovers: Todd (3)

What’s Next
EMU is off for the next seven days, and will return to action next Wednesday against Hood College. First draw against the Blazers is set for 6:00 pm.

— EMU Athletics —