CMU soccer takes draw and loss in matches with Emory

On Saturday, the Carnegie Mellon men’s and women’s soccer teams finished up regular season play against Emory University. The men tied No. 14 Emory 0–0 to finish 8–5–3 overall and 2–2–3 in University Athletic Association (UAA) play. The fourth-ranked women lost to No. 24 Emory 1–0 but were still able to claim the first-ever UAA championship for the program on the back of their 5–2–0 UAA record and 14–2–0 overall record.

As expected in a 0–0 draw, the men’s game featured a lot of defense and some outstanding goalkeeper play. Senior goalkeeper Jacob Rice was outstanding throughout the game, and was tested early when the defense allowed a cross in the ninth minute. Rice was forced to make a diving save and managed to tip the ball off of the crossbar.

Overall, the Tartans and Emory were about even on shots, with 10 for Carnegie Mellon and 12 for the Eagles. The difference came in shots on goal. Junior midfielder Connor Webb had trouble shooting online, as he only forced a save on one of his six shots for the game. This was one of only two shots on goal for the Tartans, with junior midfielder Stefan Dasbach getting the second. In comparison, eight of Emory’s 12 shots required a save, with Rice making seven of them and a blocked shot denying the eighth.

The game started to get a little rougher toward the end, with a yellow card for Emory in the second half. Carnegie Mellon received two yellow cards in overtime: one in the first overtime period to senior defender Ian Rosado, and one in the second period to junior defender Greg Allen.

For the women’s game, it was a similar story of goalkeeping and defense, this time with Emory striking a shot low toward the far post past otherwise perfect sophomore keeper Katie Liston in the 69th minute.

The women had a similar problem to the men with an inability to convert shots into shots on goal, as they led Emory 9–5 in shots, but trailed 5–4 in shots on goal.

First-year midfielder Tori Iatarola was the leading shooter for the Tartans but was also only two of five for shots on goal compared to shots taken.

Regardless of this loss, the Tartans still automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship Tournament based on their UAA Championship. The NCAA selection show will take place at 1 p.m. Monday and will be streamed live for those who want to see Carnegie Mellon’s path to a national championship.