Men’s Soccer Surges Past Emerson, 3-1

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College men's soccer team scored three goals in the final eight minutes to earn a 3-1 victory over Emerson Wednesday evening at Veterans' Memorial Stadium.

The host Lions improve to 8-6-0 on the season with the win while the visiting Lions fall to 4-9-0 overall.

The two teams battled to a scoreless first half of play.

Eastern Nazarene fired seven shots in the opening frame while Emerson recorded three. The hosts held a 4-0 advantage in shots on goal and a 3-1 edge in corner kicks earned through 45 minutes of action.

The guests nearly got on the board in the 13th minute but Alex Van Pelt's left-footed shot hit the right post.

On Eastern Nazarene's ensuing trip down field, Andrew Nelson (Burtonsville, Md.) unleashed a volley from the top of the box but Emerson goalkeeper Lucas Fisher parried the blast to keep the match level at 0-0.

Eastern Nazarene broke through in the 83rd minute to grab a 1-0 lead. Luis Lopez (Alexandria, Va.) booted home his third goal of the season after a long pass by Zachary Rodas (Douglas, Mass.).

The home side doubled its advantage to 2-0 with four minutes remaining in regulation. Nelson tallied his team-leading ninth score of the fall as he blasted a left-footed shot into the right corner of the cage. Joao Costa (Framingham, Mass.) and Erick Pinaud (Norwalk, Conn.) each picked up an assist on the play.

Emerson responded with a goal in the 88th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1. Dan Knight curled a right-footed attempt inside the far right post for his eighth marker of the year.

Eastern Nazarene reclaimed a two-goal lead in the 89th minute as Nelson bagged his 10th tally of the season.

The hosts manufactured 26 shots on the night while the visitors attempted 11.

Jameson MacFarland (Jacksonville, Fla.) registered two saves in goal for Eastern Nazarene. Connor Dane and Fischer each made four stops between the pipes for Emerson.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene will host Salve Regina October 17 in the annual Homecoming match.