Eagles Win Third Straight, 2-1, Over Bowling Green

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team fought back from a one-goal deficit to double up Bowling Green State University, 2-1, Friday, Sept. 28, at Scicluna Field. The Eagles (6-3-1; 3-0-0 MAC) start Mid-American Conference action with a 3-0 record for the first time since 1998 and have won five of their last six matches.

The Falcons (1-9-1; 0-2-1 MAC) took a surprising 1-0 edge on a Jessica Jarvis goal just before halftime. EMU responded by dominating the final 45 minutes of action, scoring a pair of goals and out-shooting BGSU, 12-3, and 21-14 for the game.

Celebrating her birthday, sophomore Angela Vultaggio scored the game-winner and her fourth of the season in the 69th minute. Junior Stephanie Clarke added her second of the year in the 46th minute to open the scoring for EMU. Junior Cara Cutaia also earned her team-leading 13th point with an assist on Clarke's tally.

In goal, redshirt freshman Jenna O'Dell recorded her sixth win of the year, stopping five-of-six Bowling Green shots on target. Jenna Underwood remained winless on the season in goal for the Falcons.

A quick break through midfield by sophomore Marisa Kozikowski nearly resulted in the game's first goal in the ninth minute. Kozkowski ran into the attacking zone and passed the ball off to sophomore Bianca Rossi, who chipped a pass along to Vultaggio. Vultaggio let off a rising shot from about 25 yards out which grazed the top of the crossbar and ricocheted out of play.

O'Dell then made a sprawling save in the 15th minute to deny Bowling Green the 1-0 lead. Kaitlyn Tobin's cross into the box found Leah Johnson, who tried to stuff a shot in through the far side. O'Dell got both hands on the ball and the EMU defense cleared the rebound.

The game remained scoreless until the 44th minute, when Jarvis scored off an assist from Sidney Huth to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The play developed off a corner kick which resulted in a trio of BGSU shots; all of which were blocked away by EMU defenders. Just when it looked like the Eagles were out of danger, Huth regained possession and slid the ball along to Jarvis for the go-ahead tally.

In the shots category, EMU took an early 8-3 lead with an edge in shots on goal as well. But Bowling Green began to own more ball possession as the half wound down and headed into the break with an 11-9 edge in overall shots.

The Eagles needed just over one minute after the second half began to score the equalizer, after a Bowling Green hand ball at the top of the box gave Clarke a free kick. Clarke used BGSU defenders as a screen and sent a booming kick into the top-left corner of the net to make it a 1-1 affair.

As the second half progressed, EMU continued to pressure the Bowling Green defense and rack up quality scoring chances. Vultaggio gave the Eagles their first lead of the game, 2-1, in the 69th minute, when she caught a pass from Cutaia and tucked a shot far-side past a helpless Underwood.

EMU did not let up as the 90th minute approached and held the Falcons to few real scoring chances. The final whistle blew and the Eagles walked away with a third straight MAC victory.

Eastern Michigan hosts Central Michigan University Sunday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. The two squads enter the game tied for first place in the MAC West Division.

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Team Stats

Angela Vultaggio

Stephanie Clarke

Cara Cutaia

Emily Dzik

Eastern Michigan Athletics