TIGERS KEEP ROLLING, DROP EASTERN MENNONITE

Hampden-Sydney Fights Back to Win Seventh Straight

Box Score

(October 10, 2009) HARRISONBURG, VA – Hampden-Sydney senior midfielder JoJo Howard (Lanexa, VA/New Kent) picked the perfect time to score his first goal of the season, capping a stirring second half rally to give the Hampden-Sydney soccer team a victory over the Royals of Eastern Mennonite University.  The win was the Tigers' seventh straight triumph.

On a chilly night in Harrisonburg, neither team was able to find the net in the first half.  The Tigers did have some opportunities, however, with sophomore Bryan Hughes (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) bringing tenacious play that disrupted the rhythm of the Royals back line.  Freshman Andre Graham (Midlothian, VA/Midlothian) brought some spirited effort off the bench and had an opportunity on a volley in the 35th minute that sailed just high of the goal.  Moments later, junior Matt Swaney (Potomac Falls, VA/Potomac Falls) unleashed a laser of a shot from 30 yards out that took an exceptional diving save from the Royals keeper to keep the score knotted at zero. 

Eastern Mennonite struck first in the second half, on a free kick following a foul.  On the play, the Royals' Ryan Eshleman sent a free kick into the box that bounced between several players before finding the foot of Brent Yoder, who was able to bury the ball in the net.  Undeterred, Hampden-Sydney did not give up and continued to attack.  Their efforts paid off in the 68th minute, when Swaney played a ball from the right wing into the box that ricocheted off of several players.  Freshman Nick DeProspero (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) was able to gather the ball at the top of the box and rip a shot that beat the diving keeper to even the score at one apiece. 

The Tigers continued to pressure the Eastern Mennonite defense and came close on a number of shots that just missed.  Hampden-Sydney was finally able to crack the back line in the 82nd minute on Howard's game winner.  On the play, senior back Christopher Tait (Nokesville, VA/Brentsville) sent a ball up the left side of the field towards the end line at the edge of the penalty box.  Howard used his blazing speed to outrace two defenders to the ball and then lifted a brilliant left-footed lob over the leaping keeper and into the upper back corner of the net to secure the win for Hampden-Sydney.  On the day, Hampden-Sydney outshot the Royals by a margin of 16 to 5, including 6 to 3 in shots on goal.

With the win, the Tigers improve to 11-2-0 overall and 4-1-0 in the ODAC, while Eastern Mennonite drops to 3-5-5 and 1-2-2 in the ODAC.  Hampden-Sydney's next game is a critical ODAC matchup against arch rival Randolph-Macon on Wednesday the 14th.  Kickoff is set for 4 pm on Miller Field as the Tigers will play for their staggering eighth consecutive victory. 

-www.hsc.edu/athletics-