The Eastern Mennonite University soccer team was in a bit of a slump heading into a conference match with Ferrum on October 13. The Royals had not experienced a win in 750 days, not since senior Cole Ours was a sophomore at EMU.

They were due for a break.

It came in the third minute when Bryce Graf sent a free kick into the box and Ford DeVault headed it past the keeper to give EMU the early lead. 

The score was 2-0 less than ten minutes into the second half when Ours got a chance to add to the lead, off of a corner kick that was headed toward the front post of the goal. 

“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and was able to flick the ball over their keeper and put it in the back of the net,” Ours said. “Getting out to an early lead in that game was crucial to us getting the win, and it seemed like my goal was the one that sealed the win.”

Ahmed Zaatar stopped all seven shots on goal and ended the Royals’ winless streak with a shutout.

EMU got off to a 5-5 start in Ours’ sophomore season, before going 30 matches without a win — a streak which included nine losses by just one goal, three overtime losses, and a 0-0 tie. 

Ours scored on his only shot attempt of the game in the 4-0 win over Ferrum.

“That win will probably be my most memorable, because of how great it felt to finally break our losing streak,” he said. 

Ours scored 15 goals on 58 shots during his senior season at Iowa Mennonite, which is now Hillcrest Academy. He led IMS to a state tournament appearance in 2018. 

In his first three seasons playing the midfield at NCAA Division III Eastern Mennonite, Ours took just seven shots. 

“Cole was timid when he first arrived here on the soccer field at EMU,” said Eastern Mennonite head coach Roger Mast. “He was not an aggressive player and needed to adjust to the speed of play in the college game.”

Ours had his first assist last year as a junior and scored three goals over a five-game stretch during his senior season, finishing second on the team in total goals. 

“Cole has grown significantly as a person and as a soccer player since his freshman year,” Mast said. “While he has been and remains a quiet presence on the team because of his personality, his leadership and confidence speaks volumes.

“He has developed into a player who now is not afraid of contact and plays big for his size. He has good pace and a strong tactical awareness to be in a good position to score goals.”

Ours’ first collegiate goal came on September 28 against a Division I opponent, Virginia Military Institute. 

The Royals trailed 1-0 late in the first half when a long pass was redirected off of the head of a VMI defender towards his own goal. Ours sprinted past the last defender and arrived at the bouncing ball at the same time as the VMI goalkeeper. His initial shot was blocked, but the rebound was redirected into the goal. 

“Cole is a gritty player who works hard for his teammates,” Mast said. “He has been a joy to coach. He is also a great student as a biology major who has found a way to balance the rigors of training for soccer with preparation for a career path in the medical field.”

Ours will graduate from Eastern Mennonite in May.

“I’ve really enjoyed all the opportunities I’ve had here and have especially enjoyed being a part of the soccer team,” Ours said. “I was drawn to EMU by the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and the friendly people that I met when visiting. I also have a long list of family members who came to EMU so it almost felt like a second home. My overall experience here at EMU has been great.”