Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, August 22
Ann Arbor, Mich.
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Michigan
Soccer Set for Season Opener Versus Michigan
8/19/2010 1:00:00 PM | Soccer
In a Washtenaw County battle, the Eagles and Wolverines will kick things off Sunday, Aug. 22
Click here for game notes vs. Michigan
Click here for live stats vs. Michigan at 7 p.m. (Aug. 22)
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – As summer winds to a close, the fall sports season nears and the hopes of the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team continue to rise. The Eagles bring back four of their six All-Mid-American Conference selections from 2009 as well as depth and experience at every position.
Defense
Three of the four returning All-MAC players affix the backline, led by first teamer and tri-captain Julie Kaim (Palos Hills, Ill.-AA Stagg). Alongside of her is a second team All-MAC selection in Katie Marsh (Dexter, Mich.-Dexter) and All-Freshman team pick from last year, Jessica Thomas (Calgary, Alberta-Bishop Carroll). The remaining spot on the backline in EMU's 3-3-4 formation will be a pair of talented incoming freshmen and one sophomore. Allison Kaim (Palos Hills, Ill.-AA Stagg), the younger sister of Julie, and Emily Kowalzyk (Tinley Park, Ill.-Victor J.) are two versatile newcomers that will add depth to an already potent group while Claire Phillips (Saline, Mich.-Saline) will also be in the mix with a year of experience under her belt.
Goalkeeping
One of, if not, the most important piece to the roster puzzle will be goalkeeper Monique Budani (Whitby, Ontario-Sinclair SS). With the departure of Maggie Manville, Budani will see full time action in 2010. The senior tri-captain has already pasted her name into the EMU record books as the current leader in goals against average (0.90) and save percentage (.870). She is also on pace to eclipse top marks in saves and career shutouts.
“Not bad for a player who has split time over two seasons,” Hall said of his goalkeeper's accomplishments thus far. “We're definitely going to be looking for her leadership from the back. She has always been a leader by example and someone we're going to have to count on to keep the ball out of the net so hopefully we can be better at putting the ball in the net at the other end.”
Rachel Rye (Dearborn, Mich.-Edsel Ford) and Elena Mudrak (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) are two promising freshmen keepers that will undoubtedly benefit by watching one of the league's best perform throughout the season.
Forwards
Despite losing its leading scorer in All-MAC first teamer and MAC Player of the Year, Ashley Rodrigues, to graduation, EMU feels confident it can reload and replace the lost production with speed and experience up front. Maggie Christensen (Orland Park, Ill.-AA Stagg), Paige Sheridan (Farmington Hills, Mich.-Mercy) and Chelsea Detrick (Grosse Pointe, Mich.-North), who have 35 career goals and 89 career points between them, can surely replace, if not add to last season's production.
“The three of them will be able to score some goals and put pressure on teams,” Hall said of his trio up front. “If you forget about one, the others might hurt you.”
Also in the mix will be freshmen Stephanie Clarke (London, Ontario-St. Thomas Aquinas) and Julie Maheu (Oakville, Ontario-Holy Trinity) as well as, redshirt freshman Cara Cutaia (Burlington, Ontario-Notre Dame Catholic).
In 2009, the Eagles led the league in shots at more than 15 per game, but finished just third in goals scored and were fifth in points during league play. Not to mention, their 13 goals in league play were down more than 30 percent from 2008.
Midfield
The main contributor in so many scoring opportunities was the midfield. Very solid a season ago, it loses a big staple in Katie Lozar, who garnered first team All-MAC honors last year. Despite the loss, it retains three-year starter Stephanie Janssens (Novi, Mich.-Novi) to anchor the fold. Amanda Marsh (Dexter, Mich.-Dexter) looks to be a big factor in the midfield as well as redshirt freshman Megan Pedro (Fort Wayne, Ind.-Canterbury) and newcomer Chelsie Oddan (Calgary, Alberta-Central Memorial). In addition, true freshman Stephanie Pilarski (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-Marian) also looks to battle for minutes in what will help shape what Hall hopes is a new and improved midfield that presents even better scoring opportunities.
“We're going to try and put a little more pressure on teams earlier by stretching out our defense and creating more turnovers to try and get the ball forward a little quicker,” Hall said.
The Eagles are looking to rectify a disappointing end to the 2009 season that saw them finish the MAC regular season in second place before coming up short in the MAC Tournament Semifinal. The Eagles return eight starters from last season's squad and are poised for a third consecutive winning season under Hall, who enters his 12th year at the helm.
Their goal won't be to win a MAC regular season title, but rather a MAC West Division title as the conference has decided to split the league into two divisions, mirroring the setup in several other MAC sports. If the new alignment had been in place a season ago, the Eagles would have finished in second place to Central Michigan, but garnered a third seed in the MAC Tournament, instead of the two-seed that they had, because the winner of each division covets the top two seeds in the postseason playoff.
Schedule
Of their school-record six draws last year, four came in conference play, three of which occurred on the road. Of those road draws, each opponent (Ohio, Akron, Western Michigan) makes the trip to Ypsilanti to take on the Green and White at Scicluna Field. On Oct. 3, EMU will travel to Oxford, Ohio for a big date with Miami, who defeated the Eagles twice in 2009, including a win in the MAC Tournament Semifinal. Last year, the Eagles defeated 2009 favorite Toledo at home and came away with a big draw to eventual MAC regular season and tournament champion Central Michigan at home as well. This year, the Eagles will wrap up the regular season with back-to-back road contests at each school, respectively.
Non-conference games include a cross-county road match at Michigan Sunday, Aug. 22, in what will be the season opener and inaugural game at the Wolverines' newly constructed stadium. A quick weekend trip to Illinois State (an NCAA Tournament qualifier in 2010) and Eastern Illinois is followed by a road meeting with Michigan State (another NCAA Tournament qualifier). Then finally, EMU returns for its much anticipated home opener against Detroit on Sept. 7. The Eagles have drawn with the Titans in each of the last two seasons, both games having been played on the road. They'll take on Valparaiso and then a third Big Ten Conference foe in Northwestern before heading west to take part in the Wolf Pack Invitational, facing San Jose State and Nevada for the first time in school history.
The season opener is just days away as the Eagles and Wolverines go at it at this Sunday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m.
Click here for live stats vs. Michigan at 7 p.m. (Aug. 22)
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – As summer winds to a close, the fall sports season nears and the hopes of the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team continue to rise. The Eagles bring back four of their six All-Mid-American Conference selections from 2009 as well as depth and experience at every position.
Defense
Three of the four returning All-MAC players affix the backline, led by first teamer and tri-captain Julie Kaim (Palos Hills, Ill.-AA Stagg). Alongside of her is a second team All-MAC selection in Katie Marsh (Dexter, Mich.-Dexter) and All-Freshman team pick from last year, Jessica Thomas (Calgary, Alberta-Bishop Carroll). The remaining spot on the backline in EMU's 3-3-4 formation will be a pair of talented incoming freshmen and one sophomore. Allison Kaim (Palos Hills, Ill.-AA Stagg), the younger sister of Julie, and Emily Kowalzyk (Tinley Park, Ill.-Victor J.) are two versatile newcomers that will add depth to an already potent group while Claire Phillips (Saline, Mich.-Saline) will also be in the mix with a year of experience under her belt.
Goalkeeping
One of, if not, the most important piece to the roster puzzle will be goalkeeper Monique Budani (Whitby, Ontario-Sinclair SS). With the departure of Maggie Manville, Budani will see full time action in 2010. The senior tri-captain has already pasted her name into the EMU record books as the current leader in goals against average (0.90) and save percentage (.870). She is also on pace to eclipse top marks in saves and career shutouts.
“Not bad for a player who has split time over two seasons,” Hall said of his goalkeeper's accomplishments thus far. “We're definitely going to be looking for her leadership from the back. She has always been a leader by example and someone we're going to have to count on to keep the ball out of the net so hopefully we can be better at putting the ball in the net at the other end.”
Rachel Rye (Dearborn, Mich.-Edsel Ford) and Elena Mudrak (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) are two promising freshmen keepers that will undoubtedly benefit by watching one of the league's best perform throughout the season.
Forwards
Despite losing its leading scorer in All-MAC first teamer and MAC Player of the Year, Ashley Rodrigues, to graduation, EMU feels confident it can reload and replace the lost production with speed and experience up front. Maggie Christensen (Orland Park, Ill.-AA Stagg), Paige Sheridan (Farmington Hills, Mich.-Mercy) and Chelsea Detrick (Grosse Pointe, Mich.-North), who have 35 career goals and 89 career points between them, can surely replace, if not add to last season's production.
“The three of them will be able to score some goals and put pressure on teams,” Hall said of his trio up front. “If you forget about one, the others might hurt you.”
Also in the mix will be freshmen Stephanie Clarke (London, Ontario-St. Thomas Aquinas) and Julie Maheu (Oakville, Ontario-Holy Trinity) as well as, redshirt freshman Cara Cutaia (Burlington, Ontario-Notre Dame Catholic).
In 2009, the Eagles led the league in shots at more than 15 per game, but finished just third in goals scored and were fifth in points during league play. Not to mention, their 13 goals in league play were down more than 30 percent from 2008.
Midfield
The main contributor in so many scoring opportunities was the midfield. Very solid a season ago, it loses a big staple in Katie Lozar, who garnered first team All-MAC honors last year. Despite the loss, it retains three-year starter Stephanie Janssens (Novi, Mich.-Novi) to anchor the fold. Amanda Marsh (Dexter, Mich.-Dexter) looks to be a big factor in the midfield as well as redshirt freshman Megan Pedro (Fort Wayne, Ind.-Canterbury) and newcomer Chelsie Oddan (Calgary, Alberta-Central Memorial). In addition, true freshman Stephanie Pilarski (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-Marian) also looks to battle for minutes in what will help shape what Hall hopes is a new and improved midfield that presents even better scoring opportunities.
“We're going to try and put a little more pressure on teams earlier by stretching out our defense and creating more turnovers to try and get the ball forward a little quicker,” Hall said.
The Eagles are looking to rectify a disappointing end to the 2009 season that saw them finish the MAC regular season in second place before coming up short in the MAC Tournament Semifinal. The Eagles return eight starters from last season's squad and are poised for a third consecutive winning season under Hall, who enters his 12th year at the helm.
Their goal won't be to win a MAC regular season title, but rather a MAC West Division title as the conference has decided to split the league into two divisions, mirroring the setup in several other MAC sports. If the new alignment had been in place a season ago, the Eagles would have finished in second place to Central Michigan, but garnered a third seed in the MAC Tournament, instead of the two-seed that they had, because the winner of each division covets the top two seeds in the postseason playoff.
Schedule
Of their school-record six draws last year, four came in conference play, three of which occurred on the road. Of those road draws, each opponent (Ohio, Akron, Western Michigan) makes the trip to Ypsilanti to take on the Green and White at Scicluna Field. On Oct. 3, EMU will travel to Oxford, Ohio for a big date with Miami, who defeated the Eagles twice in 2009, including a win in the MAC Tournament Semifinal. Last year, the Eagles defeated 2009 favorite Toledo at home and came away with a big draw to eventual MAC regular season and tournament champion Central Michigan at home as well. This year, the Eagles will wrap up the regular season with back-to-back road contests at each school, respectively.
Non-conference games include a cross-county road match at Michigan Sunday, Aug. 22, in what will be the season opener and inaugural game at the Wolverines' newly constructed stadium. A quick weekend trip to Illinois State (an NCAA Tournament qualifier in 2010) and Eastern Illinois is followed by a road meeting with Michigan State (another NCAA Tournament qualifier). Then finally, EMU returns for its much anticipated home opener against Detroit on Sept. 7. The Eagles have drawn with the Titans in each of the last two seasons, both games having been played on the road. They'll take on Valparaiso and then a third Big Ten Conference foe in Northwestern before heading west to take part in the Wolf Pack Invitational, facing San Jose State and Nevada for the first time in school history.
The season opener is just days away as the Eagles and Wolverines go at it at this Sunday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m.
2025-26 EMU Athletics In-Review
Tuesday, April 21
Thank You from EMU Soccer!
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Soccer
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - Eastern Michigan Soccer
Monday, December 01