Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Bowling Green
Eagles Pick Up 2-0 Win Against Bowling Green
10/19/2008 3:46:43 PM | Soccer
EMU wins on Senior Day; Seniors Lathrop, Upton and Zundel honored before the game
YPSILANTI, Mich.- A freshman stole the show on senior day, as the Eastern Michigan University soccer team defeated Bowling Green State University, 2-0, Sunday, Oct. 19 at Scicluna Field. Freshman Vanessa Atanasoski (Sterling Heights, Mich.-Stevenson) scored her first goal of the season, helping the Eagles to the Mid-American Conference win.
With the victory, the Eagles improve to 9-4-4 (4-2-2 MAC), while BGSU falls to 9-5-3 (4-3-1 MAC) on the season. Sophomore keeper Mona Budani (Whitby, Ont.-Sinclair Secondary) picked up the shutout, making six saves on the afternoon.
The Eagles scored two first half goals before holding their ground defensively in the second half to get a key MAC win. Atanasoski scored the game-winner a little over 13 minutes into the game, taking a corner kick-like cross from Stephanie Janssens (Novi, Mich.-Novi) and beating the keeper from five yards out, staking the Eagles an early lead.
It looked like EMU was going to hit halftime with a 1-0 lead, but Bowling Green was whistled for a hand ball in the box with three minutes remaining in the first frame, giving the home team a penalty kick opportunity. Junior Ashley Rodrigues (Pickering, Ont.-St. Mary’s Catholic) took the kick for the Eagles, beating BG goalie Alexa Aresnault low and to the left, sending the Eagles to the break with a 2-0 advantage.
After not recording a shot on goal in the first half, BG stepped it up offensively in the second half. The Falcons fired six shots on goal in the second half, but Budani and the Eagle defense withstood the attack to give EMU its fourth conference victory of the year.
Before the game, seniors Jessica Lathrop (Indianapolis, Ind.-Lawrence North), Ashley Upton (Beavercreek, Ohio-Beavercreek) and Katie Zundel (Utica, Mich.-Henry Ford II) were honored for their achievements during their time at EMU. Head coach Scott Hall was also recognized for earning the 100th win of his career last weekend at Kent State.
The Eagles are back in action next weekend, first traveling to Akron, Ohio for a date with the Zips, Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. EMU will then travel to Athens, Ohio to take on the Ohio Bobcats, Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.
