For only the second time in the last four years, the Goshen (Ind.) College Maple Leafs and the Eastern Mennonite University Royals men’s soccer teams will face each other in varsity competition.
And, this time, they’ll play on EMU’s newly-replaced artificial turf field. Game time is 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. It will be EMU’s first home game of the season.
Goshen College and EMU last met in soccer on Oct. 21, 2002 at Goshen, with EMU winning 4-0.
While the event will spotlight an inter-Mennonite competition, the emphasis will be on the opportunity afforded for alumni of the two schools to see their alma maters, according to Douglas J. Nyce, director of alumni-parent relations at EMU.
A reception for parents and alumni of both schools, sponsored by Mennonite Mutual Aid, will follow the game.
The athletic directors of Goshen, Ken Pletcher, and EMU, David A. King, will be on hand to unveil future plans for using sporting events between Mennonite schools to promote Mennonite higher education.
“This is a great way to open the men’s soccer season on the new turf field,” King said. “The atmosphere should be electric, and I anticipate a great time of making connections, reuniting with friends and celebrating all the good that can come from athletics, whether one is a player or fan,” he added.
Admission to the game is free.