EMORY, Va. --- Roanoke, ranked 10^th in the latest NSCAA South Atlantic Poll, defeated Emory & Henry, 5-0 in its ODAC-opener this evening in men's soccer action. The Maroons improved to 4-1-2 while the Wasps dropped to 2-4.

Roanoke took control of the game, out-shooting the Wasps, 18-7. They also held a 10-0 advantage on corner kicks.

Just 29-seconds into action, Jason Ryan (Radford, VA, Radford)found Michael Stark (Newport News, VA, Menchville)for his first goal of the season to put the Maroons on the scoreboard early. Later in the half, Stark found the back of the net again for his first multi-goal game of his career to make it, 2-0 midway through the first half.

Just before halftime, Chris Collins (Vinton, VA, William Byrd)dribbled through two defenders and sent a shot into the right side to give the Maroons a comfortable, 3-0 advantage.

In the second half, Taylor Johnston (Charleston, WV, Capital)scored his second goal of the season unassisted to make it, 4-0. Kayvon Sarmadi (Roanoke, VA, Hidden Valley)scored his third goal of the season off an assist from Collins, his first of the season midway through the half which gave the final result, which is currently the highest scoring output of the season.

Ryan Russell (Danville, VA, GW Danville)and Tyler Rinko (Maple, Glenn, PA, Upper Dublin)combined for the shutout victory for Roanoke. Russell finished with four saves while Rinko added a save in the second-half.

Daniel Mills totaled eight saves on the evening for the Wasps. PJ Henson led EHC with six shots.

The men return home this weekend as they clash with ODAC-foe Bridgewater on Friday at 7 p.m. then turnaround on Sunday to face #11 Salisbury in non-conference action Sunday. It will be their second match against a nationally-ranked team. Game time for that contest is set for 1 p.m.