Rossi Scores First-Career Goal in 2-1 Loss to KSU

Box Score.

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com)—The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team came a goalpost and a crossbar shy of capturing its first win of the season in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Kent State University Friday afternoon, Sept. 30, at Scicluna Field. Bianca Rossi scored her first-career goal in the 86th minute to knot the contest at one, but Jaclyn Dutton tallied the game-winner for the Golden Flashes just over a minute later.

The Eagles (0-9-1; 0-3-0 MAC) perhaps deserved a better outcome Friday, as Stephanie Clarke grazed a shot off the left goalpost in the opening frame and Angela Vultaggio drilled a rising header off the crossbar in the second half.

Rossi finally poked the ball across the goal line in the waning minutes of the match off a rebound from a blocked shot by Amanda Marsh. The goal ended an EMU goalless streak which dated back to Sept. 2.

Vultaggio and Clarke each posted strong outings, with the freshman forward taking four shots (three on goal), and the sophomore adding a pair of shots. Clarke was also responsible for setting up numerous quality scoring chances for her squad.

Kent State (8-3-0; 2-1-0 MAC) escaped with its second Mid-American Conference win of the season on goals from Sara Henderson in the 50th minute and Dutton's tally in the 87th minute.

The Golden Flashes outshot the Eagles, 21-13.

EMU appeared poised to grab an early lead when Clarke caught a pass up the middle and stormed through the KSU defense. Clarke looped a shot over goalkeeper Kelly Sherwood, but the ball caught the inside of the left post, rolled across the length of the goal, and squeaked out past the right post.

In the 34th minute, defender Emily Dzik came up big as a Kent State shot was bobbled by Maggie Manville and came loose in front of the goal. Dzik positioned herself perfectly to make a chest save on a point-blank blast from Dutton to keep the game scoreless.

Dutton received another chance late in the half when she sent a free kick from just outside the penalty area wide of the right post.

The Green and White was in the midst of a superb attack in the 49th minute when Clarke fed a pass to a wide open Vultaggio whose header beat the goalie but caught the underside of the crossbar and stayed out of the net.

A stunned EMU squad received another blow when on the ensuing Kent State rush, Henderson went top-shelf on Manville following a corner kick for to make it a 1-0 game for Kent State.

With time ticking down, the Eagles sent extra players on the attack. The strategy paid off with just over three minutes to play when Rossi collected a rebound off an EMU shot and deposited the ball into the back of the net to tie the game, 1-1.

As a jubilant EMU bench was preparing for overtime, Kent State suddenly regained the lead on a long shot from Dutton. The Eagles were unable to add the equalizer before time expired and took their ninth-consecutive loss.

The Eagles will be back in action Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2, when they host the University at Buffalo Bulls. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

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Team Stats

Bianca Rossi

Angela Vultaggio

Stephanie Clarke

Katie Marsh

Eastern Michigan Athletics