From Emory University Athletics
Emory University senior Jeffrey
Cochran setup both of the Eagles' scores with a pair of
long throw-ins, and junior Matt Sherr broke
a tie in the first overtime with the first 'golden goal' of his
career, giving the sixth-ranked Eagles a 2-1 win over University
Athletic Association (UAA) rival Washington University (Mo.) in St.
Louis, Missouri on Sunday afternoon.
The win was the second-straight overtime victory for the
Eagles, and the 11th-straight win overall,
matching the second longest winning streak in the program's
history. Emory, now 11-0-1 on the season, is undefeated over its
last 14 games dating back to last season, the third longest stretch
in the Eagles' record books.
Emory also moved into a three-way tie atop the University
Athletic Association (UAA) standings with fourth-ranked Brandeis
University and New York University, each of which claimed victories
in their conference-opening games as well. The Eagles were the only
men's soccer team in the conference to collect a road win during
the opening weekend of play.
Washington dropped to 5-3-1 overall, and to 0-1-0 in UAA
play.
Sunday's conference-opening game was a meeting of two of the
best defensive teams in the country this season, with Emory
entering the weekend ranked 16th in
Division III with a 0.52 goals-against average, and the Bears
12th with a 0.49 mark. The first half
proved to be the anticipated defensive battle, with each team
registering just five shots during the frame, including two on goal
for Washington, and one for Emory.
The Eagles had the best opportunity of the first 45 minutes
early in the contest, when junior Sebastian
Hardington put a header on target in the sixth minute,
but Washington goalkeeper Daniel Geanon was able to make a leaping
save to prevent the score.
The Bears would break the scoreless tie in the
57th minute, when Jack West drew a
penalty kick after being taken down on the near wing of the 18-yard
box. West would go on to convert the resulting penalty
attempt, scoring his fourth goal of the year to give Washington a
1-0 advantage.
The Eagles would have an answer a short time later, taking
advantage of a long throw-in from Cochran for the first time in the
game. Cochran's throw came into the middle of the 18-yard box from
approximately 30 yards out and the near sideline.
Senior Carl Credle came cutting into the
zone, sending a header into the net for his second goal of the
campaign.
A well-placed corner kick from sophomore Eli
Curtin in the 78th minute
gave Emory a chance to take the lead, but Geanon was able to make a
diving save on another header attempt by Hardington, deflecting the
ball just wide of the far post with his hand.
Emory would carry the momentum into overtime, going on the
attack early, and forcing a throw-in from deep in the Washington
defensive zone in the 93rd minute.
Cochran would once again launch one in the box and towards the
frame. The ball was deflected by the Bears' defense, but remained
inside the box, and Sherr came in to launch a shot into the
goal. It was the first career 'golden goal' of his career,
and his second score of the campaign.
Cochran's assist on the overtime game-winner was his third in
the last two games (each of which has come on a long throw), and
his fourth overall on the season.
The Eagles outshot the Bears by a 10-8 margin in the game,
including a 5-3 edge in shots on goal. Emory
junior Abe Hannigan made a pair of saves on
his way to the victory.