Dylan Price isn’t having his usual highly productive season for Emory’s men’s soccer team, at least from a statistical standpoint.
In his first three seasons with the Eagles, Price scored 29 goals, including 12 a year ago en route to being named one of the top players in the University Athletic Association and in the South Atlantic Region.
But that doesn’t mean Price, a senior forward, isn’t still a threat to score. Even with only four goals and five assists on the season, he is still a player opponents have to worry about.
The thing is, Price isn’t concerned as much about his own success because the Eagles are in the midst of one of their best seasons, winning 11 of their first 13 games.
“My stats aren’t the best and up to what I’m used to, but I think we are much more balanced and we are winning because of the effort of the entire team,” Price said. “I will keep pushing myself to be the best player I can be, but even if I’m not scoring goals, I’m just happy to be a part of such a successful team.”
The Eagles are indeed balanced, with Price one of seven players who has scored at least two goals on the season. Sebastian Hardington leads the way with six goals while Jason Andrejchak has come through with four goals. Jason McCartney has tallied three goals.
The Eagles have scored a total of 25 goals in 13 games while the defense has given up just eight. Abe Hannigan has seen most of the time in goal, starting 12 games and racking up 36 saves.
“We knew we had a chance to be a good team this season,” Price said. “I don’t know if any of us thought we would win 11 of our first 13 games, but we did feel like we had a team that could compete for a conference title and an NCAA tournament spot. Hopefully we can continue what we are doing and we will get the results we want.”
Price has been getting results since his freshman year. He scored seven goals that season and was tabbed as an honorable mention All-UAA selection. As a sophomore, Price scored 12 goals, including six game-winners, as he earned honorable mention All-UAA honors once again. Price was also named a Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.
Price added 10 more goals last season and was again tabbed as an academic all-district honoree while also being named a second-team All-UAA pick and third team All-South Atlantic Region selection.
It’s been fantastic having this kind of career. I’ve been very fortunate
“It’s been fantastic having this kind of career. I’ve been very fortunate,” Price said. “I’m getting a great education and I have had the chance to be a part of a great program. And to have my final season go the way it has so far has been awesome.”
Price, thinking about his life after college, actually stepped away from soccer last spring because of a job opportunity. He worked through the summer as well but always planned on playing soccer again this season.
“It was tough missing out on being able to practice in the spring with the team, but the plan was always to come back and play,” Price said. “When I came back for the fall, I felt like we had a very well-rounded team.”
Emory, which opened the season with a 1-1 tie against Centre, won 11 consecutive games before falling 1-0 to Chicago on Oct. 11.
With five games to go, the Eagles are focused on a strong finish, a conference title and the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012.
“I want my season to last as long as possible,” Price said. “We want to make a run at the conference title and have that chance to play in the NCAA tournament. “We know the games only get tougher, but if we continue to play like we have as a team, good things will happen.”
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