Men’s Soccer Begins 2015 Season with a Loss to Emory in Atlanta

Atlanta, GA| The St. Joseph's College men's soccer team (0-1-0) was handed a 7-1 loss at the hands of Emory University (1-0-1) in what was the side's first match of the 2015 season on Saturday afternoon. The game was played on Emory's campus in Atlanta, GA as a part of the annual Sonny Carter Invitational.

The Golden Eagles would jump out to the early lead, scoring on their first shot of the game at 7:11 of the first half. It was junior transfer Dan Cheeseman who whipped the ball into the box from the set piece and junior Justin Heredia who found his way onto the end of it to give the former his first point as a Golden Eagle and the latter his first goal of the season.

But it didn't take Emory long to find an equalizer, as forward Sebastian Hardington potted his first goal of the season to tie the game at 11:56. Emory generated three more shots toward goal before taking the lead at 28:52, when Cody Gardiner found Dan Busichio, whose shot deflected off St. Joseph's keeper Spencer Hoek before crossing the goal line.

Before the end of the first half—of which Emory outshot the Golden Eagles 9-1—the hosts would net two more tallies courtesy of a Christian Meyer double at 36:16 and 40:39.

Emory would generate 15 additional shots in the second half, but were held off the scoresheet until the 78th minute, when Max Gomas headed in a cross to give his side the 5-1 lead. Darion Morgan would tally in the 84th and Hardington again in the 90th.

Junior transfers Cody Puglisi and Cheeseman both started in their Golden Eagle debuts, while junior DeVaunte Maynes, and freshmen Javier Reyes and Michael Flynn, debuted off the bench.

Hoek made a career-high seven saves in a game that saw his side outshot 24-2. Emory's keeper Abe Hannigan turned away one of the two shots fired his way.

Emory's eight corners also outpaced the Golden Eagles two.

St. Joseph's is back in action tomorrow, September 6 when they play in their second game of the Sonny Carter Invitational against Oglethorpe University. Kick-off is set for 11:30 AM. Check back on the men's soccer schedule page for live stats and video.