Late loss

Ankeny, IA - September 6, 2023

In a thrilling neutral-site encounter in Ankeny, Iowa, Emmaus Bible College faced off against the Spurgeon College Knights in their second game of the season. The match unfolded as a tale of two halves, with both teams displaying skill, determination, and a flair for the dramatic.

The statistical balance of 17 shots for Emmaus and 16 shots for Spurgeon set the stage for a closely contested battle. Tucker Kapas, once again proving his mettle as Emmaus' goalkeeper, made an impressive nine saves, showcasing his skill under a dynamic attack from the Spurgeon side.

Emmaus Eagles took an early lead with Cristian Anderson opening the scoring in the 14th minute, beautifully assisted by Edwin Ventura-Magallon. Anderson continued his scoring prowess, finding the net again in the 20th minute, this time with an assist from Bennett Kreiner. Heading into halftime with a 2-0 lead, Emmaus seemed poised for another victory.

However, the narrative took a dramatic turn in the second half as Spurgeon College Knights launched a determined comeback. They found the back of the net in the 65th and 80th minutes, erasing Emmaus' lead and leveling the scoreline at 2-2. The climax of the game came in the 88th minute when a well-orchestrated passing build-up by Spurgeon created an opportunity for Jackson Edwards, who converted with precision, securing the game-winning goal. The late surge by Spurgeon left Emmaus with little time to respond.

Emmaus head coach, Chris McHugh acknowledged the team's performance, stating, "We played well and grew today. Unfortunately, our fitness did not quite hold up, and credit to Spurgeon for fighting back to earn the win." 

Up next: Emmaus hosts Crown College on Saturday, September 9 at 3pm.