HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – Under the bright Wednesday night lights at the EMU Turf Field, the EMU Men’s Soccer team renewed their fierce Route 42 Rivalry with Bridgewater College. In an intense, high-energy affair that looked every bit the part of a rivalry game, it was the host Royals who prevailed for a dramatic 1-0 victory, their first win of the 2026 season.
Xavier Barravino, a first-year midfielder from Burke, Virginia, was the hero of the night for the Royals in scoring the game’s lone goal, the second of the season.
Records: EMU 1-5, 0-0 ODAC* | Bridgewater 4-2, 0-0 ODAC*
(For scheduling purposes, the game was classified as non-conference and will not count towards the ODAC standings)
Highlights
• The two teams traded scoring opportunities back-and-forth in the first half, but neither side could score in the opening 45 minutes. EMU’s best chances in the opening half came on shots on goal by Arthur Etoa and Barravino in the 13th and 23rd minute, respectively.
• 51′ | The Royals took possession on a throw-in by Bryan Rodriguez Orellana. Eventually, the ball found its way back to the foot of Rodriguez Orellana, who sent a nice cross into the box for Barravino, who flicked with his right foot into the lower right hand corner of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy as the Royals took a 1-0 lead.
• The visiting Eagles would not go down without a fight, putting up 11 shots in the second half, including 5 in the final 10:24. EMU was also a player down for the final 5:01 of the match following a red card, but the Royals defense held strong to seal up a critical rivalry win.
• With the win, the Royals are now unbeaten in their last three games against Bridgewater (2-0-1 record). That is the longest such stretch in the rivalry for EMU since three straight wins from 2017-2019.
• This also marks the first win as a head coach for Trevor Swartz.
Statistical Leaders
Goals: Barravino (1)
Assists: Rodriguez Orellana (1)
Saves: Dennis Villalta (4)
What’s Next
EMU Men’s Soccer will look to keep the positive momentum going when they head to Pennsylvania to take on Wilson College this Saturday, Sept. 19. Opening kick is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
— EMU Athletics —
