Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Akron
Soccer Draws with Akron in MAC Opener
9/25/2009 10:26:24 PM | Soccer
Less than one minute separated both goals, leading to a 1-1 draw.
Box Score
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University and Akron kicked off 2009 MAC play with an even, 1-1, battle to the finish at Lee Jackson Field Friday night. The Eagles, who turned in a school record five draws in 2008, settled for their second straight tie game and already have three through nine games this season.
After a scoreless first half, the Zips had a golden opportunity to strike first with a penalty kick in the 77th minute, but missed. In the 82nd minute, Ashley Rodrigues was able to get the Green and White on the board with her fourth goal of the year. Similar to their late goal to go up against IUPUI on Sept. 18, the Eagles (4-2-3, 0-0-1 MAC) allowed the opposition an answer in the waning moments of the second half on Friday as well.
The Zips', who entered play with a sub-.500 record of 2-3-1, got the equalizer on Jordan Clark's second goal of the season less than a minute after Rodrigues' score. Akron (2-3-2, 0-0-1 MAC) made a step in the right direction after going into their MAC home opener on a three-game losing streak, falling to Creighton, Nebraska and Cincinnati all on the road.
The Eagles were out-shot, 18-16, but dominated the corner kick disparity, 11-2. In her second straight start, Monique Budani made nine saves, including a late stop in the second overtime.
The Eagles travel to Athens, Ohio Sunday to take on the Ohio Bobcats in the finale end of a two-game road trip to open up MAC play. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Chessa Field.
