Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, August 27
Normal, Ill
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Illinois State
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Soccer Heads to the Land of Lincoln
8/26/2010 3:12:09 PM | Soccer
Eagles to play Illinois State, Aug, 27, and Eastern Illinois, Aug, 29
Click Here for the Complete Release (PDF).
Click Here for Live Stats vs. ISU.
Click Here for Live Stats vs. EIU.
SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS: Illinois State is coming off a two-game road split following its Ohio swing on the opening weekend, falling to Akron, 3-0, before grabbing a 2-1 win over Kent State. In each match all three goals were scored in the final 10 minutes of regulation including Alyssa Schulz's 88th-minute goal which won it for ISU last Sunday, Aug. 22. The Redbirds were an NCAA Tournament qualifier in 2009 after winning their third consecutive Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title and the 2009 MVC Tournament title. ISU is the favorite to win its fourth straight championship after being picked first in the MVC Preseason Coaches Poll. Drew Roff is in his fourth season as the head coach at Illinois State and holds an 18-1-2 record at home in his tenure.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS: Eastern Illinois is 2-0 for the first time since 2001 after posting back-to-back shutouts to close out a successful opening weekend. The Panthers defeated the 2009 Summit League Champions and NCAA Tournament qualifiers, IUPUI (8-20), in the season opener before beating Evansville (8-22) in an overtime thriller, 1-0. EIU was 7-8-5 in 2009 under first-year Head Coach Summer Perala. Eastern Michigan holds an 8-5-0 all-time series lead over the Panthers including a last year's late-game heroics by Ashley Rodrigues which netted the Eagles a 1-0 victory in the regular-season opener.
LAST TIME OUT: The Eagles endured a 32-8 shot deficit and overcame an early second half goal by Michigan after tying it at 1-1 with a Maggie Christensen goal with just under nine minutes remaining in regulation. After two scoreless overtime periods, EMU earned its second draw in the last three seasons and first since a 2-2 tie-up at home in 2008. Christensen's goal was the 12th of her career and the second by an opponent at the brand new U-M Soccer Stadium. It was assisted by fellow starting forward, Paige Sheridan, in the 82nd minute. Goalie Monique Budani made 10 saves in helping the Eagles preserve the tie.
MILE AFTER MAGNIFICENT MILE: EMU's four-game road trip to start the season continues with a weekend jaunt to the “Land of Lincoln” Aug. 27-29, to take on Illinois State and Eastern Illinois. The Eagles will meet the Redbirds for the first time since 2006 while battling the Panthers for the sixth straight season.
SWEET 16: This season marks the 16th year of the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer program. In his 12th season at the helm, Head Coach Scott Hall has a career record of 116-81-32 with six winning seasons, two MAC regular season championships, one MAC Tournament title and one NCAA Tournament appearance to his resumé. He is just the second head coach in the program's history, succeeding Paul Scicluna following his fatal traffic accident in 1999. The Eagles have finished second in league play in each of the past two seasons and are seeking their first league title since 2003 when they recorded an 8-2-2 league ledger.
THE CAPTAIN'S CLUB: Head Coach Scott Hall has named seniors Monique Budani and Maggie Christensen, as well as, junior Julie Kaim to serve as captains this season for the Green and White.
ROAD WARRIORS: In 2009, the Eagles dropped just one decision on the road in six tries and went 2-1-1 in neutral affairs. This year they will play 14 of their 20 regular season games on the road, including 8-of-9 non-conference matches. The first four will occur away from home beginning with Michigan in a cross-county battle. A jaunt to the Land of Lincoln to take on Illinois State and Eastern Illinois will follow before a meeting with in-state rival Michigan State. Valparaiso, Northwestern, San Jose State and Nevada round out the non-conference road schedule. In MAC play the Eagles will face the daunting task of going to Miami, Kent State, Buffalo, Ball State, Toledo and Central Michigan. Miami was the lone loss at home for the Eagles in 2009.
SENIOR-LADEN: Monique Budani and Maggie Christensen will head up a group of seniors determined to do big things in 2010. Three-year starter Stephanie Janssens and speedy forward Paige Sheridan will add to the core group with all four looking to be in the starting lineup when the season begins Aug. 22.
NEWCOMERS: A solid recruiting class this year will surely add speed and depth to an already talented roster. Stephanie Clarke and Julie Maheu will be in the mix for playing time up front while Chelsie Oddan and Stephanie Pilarski could be strong factors in the midfield. Allison Kaim looks to be a versatile presence that can play up front or help out on the backline as well. Promising goalkeepers Rachel Rye and Elena Mudrak will have the added benefit of learning under one of the best in the MAC, Monique Budani.
Click Here for Live Stats vs. ISU.
Click Here for Live Stats vs. EIU.
SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS: Illinois State is coming off a two-game road split following its Ohio swing on the opening weekend, falling to Akron, 3-0, before grabbing a 2-1 win over Kent State. In each match all three goals were scored in the final 10 minutes of regulation including Alyssa Schulz's 88th-minute goal which won it for ISU last Sunday, Aug. 22. The Redbirds were an NCAA Tournament qualifier in 2009 after winning their third consecutive Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title and the 2009 MVC Tournament title. ISU is the favorite to win its fourth straight championship after being picked first in the MVC Preseason Coaches Poll. Drew Roff is in his fourth season as the head coach at Illinois State and holds an 18-1-2 record at home in his tenure.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS: Eastern Illinois is 2-0 for the first time since 2001 after posting back-to-back shutouts to close out a successful opening weekend. The Panthers defeated the 2009 Summit League Champions and NCAA Tournament qualifiers, IUPUI (8-20), in the season opener before beating Evansville (8-22) in an overtime thriller, 1-0. EIU was 7-8-5 in 2009 under first-year Head Coach Summer Perala. Eastern Michigan holds an 8-5-0 all-time series lead over the Panthers including a last year's late-game heroics by Ashley Rodrigues which netted the Eagles a 1-0 victory in the regular-season opener.
LAST TIME OUT: The Eagles endured a 32-8 shot deficit and overcame an early second half goal by Michigan after tying it at 1-1 with a Maggie Christensen goal with just under nine minutes remaining in regulation. After two scoreless overtime periods, EMU earned its second draw in the last three seasons and first since a 2-2 tie-up at home in 2008. Christensen's goal was the 12th of her career and the second by an opponent at the brand new U-M Soccer Stadium. It was assisted by fellow starting forward, Paige Sheridan, in the 82nd minute. Goalie Monique Budani made 10 saves in helping the Eagles preserve the tie.
MILE AFTER MAGNIFICENT MILE: EMU's four-game road trip to start the season continues with a weekend jaunt to the “Land of Lincoln” Aug. 27-29, to take on Illinois State and Eastern Illinois. The Eagles will meet the Redbirds for the first time since 2006 while battling the Panthers for the sixth straight season.
SWEET 16: This season marks the 16th year of the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer program. In his 12th season at the helm, Head Coach Scott Hall has a career record of 116-81-32 with six winning seasons, two MAC regular season championships, one MAC Tournament title and one NCAA Tournament appearance to his resumé. He is just the second head coach in the program's history, succeeding Paul Scicluna following his fatal traffic accident in 1999. The Eagles have finished second in league play in each of the past two seasons and are seeking their first league title since 2003 when they recorded an 8-2-2 league ledger.
THE CAPTAIN'S CLUB: Head Coach Scott Hall has named seniors Monique Budani and Maggie Christensen, as well as, junior Julie Kaim to serve as captains this season for the Green and White.
ROAD WARRIORS: In 2009, the Eagles dropped just one decision on the road in six tries and went 2-1-1 in neutral affairs. This year they will play 14 of their 20 regular season games on the road, including 8-of-9 non-conference matches. The first four will occur away from home beginning with Michigan in a cross-county battle. A jaunt to the Land of Lincoln to take on Illinois State and Eastern Illinois will follow before a meeting with in-state rival Michigan State. Valparaiso, Northwestern, San Jose State and Nevada round out the non-conference road schedule. In MAC play the Eagles will face the daunting task of going to Miami, Kent State, Buffalo, Ball State, Toledo and Central Michigan. Miami was the lone loss at home for the Eagles in 2009.
SENIOR-LADEN: Monique Budani and Maggie Christensen will head up a group of seniors determined to do big things in 2010. Three-year starter Stephanie Janssens and speedy forward Paige Sheridan will add to the core group with all four looking to be in the starting lineup when the season begins Aug. 22.
NEWCOMERS: A solid recruiting class this year will surely add speed and depth to an already talented roster. Stephanie Clarke and Julie Maheu will be in the mix for playing time up front while Chelsie Oddan and Stephanie Pilarski could be strong factors in the midfield. Allison Kaim looks to be a versatile presence that can play up front or help out on the backline as well. Promising goalkeepers Rachel Rye and Elena Mudrak will have the added benefit of learning under one of the best in the MAC, Monique Budani.
Cinematic Highlights: Eastern Soccer vs. Kent State
Monday, October 28
Cinematic Highlights: Soccer vs. Western Michigan
Monday, October 14
Cinematic Highlights: Eastern Soccer vs. Miami
Monday, October 07
Cinematic Highlights: Eastern Soccer vs. Toledo
Friday, September 27