Emporia High soccer battled to a 1-1 draw against Manhattan on Thursday at Spartan Field, concluding a rescheduled matchup and a demanding stretch of games.
The contest, originally delayed two weeks due to inclement weather, saw early action when Braxton Pugh put the Spartans on the board with a goal at the 27-minute mark of the first half. Emporia maintained its 1-0 advantage until late in regulation, when Manhattan capitalized on a corner kick with 15 minutes remaining to level the score. Neither side could break through during two overtime periods, ending the match deadlocked.
Following the game, junior Cole Faulkner noted that defending set pieces remains a key focal point for the team moving forward.
Despite the late equalizer, EHS head coach Victor Ibarra expressed pride in how his squad navigated a crowded stretch on the calendar.
With the tie, Emporia shifts its record to 10-3-1 overall and 1-2-1 in league play. The Spartans return to action on Monday night when they host Spring Hill on Spartan Field.
