Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, October 18
Athens, Ohio
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Ohio
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Eagles Flock South to the Buckeye State
10/16/2013 3:47:00 PM | Soccer
EMU soccer battle cross-divisional foes Ohio, Oct. 18, and Kent State, Oct. 20
Weekly Notes
Coach Hall Interview
YPSILANTI, Mich (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University soccer team will look to get back to its winning ways with a pair of games in Ohio this weekend. The Green and White will invade Athens, Ohio, Oct. 18, to face the Ohio University Bobcats in a Friday evening matchup slated to begin at 4 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 20, the Eagles will conclude its Buckeye State swing in Kent, Ohio, taking on the Kent State University Golden Flashes at 1 p.m.
Team co-captain Cara Cutaia leads the offensive charge with 18 points and seven goals on the season, ranking third in the Mid-American Conference in both categories. Following closely behind are juniors Angela Vultaggio and Bianca Rossi, who have six and five goals, respectively. Both forwards, along with seniors Cutaia and Stephanie Clarke, have four assists through the first 14 games of the 2013 campaign to pace the team. Clarke, Rossi and Vultaggio each have a MAC Offensive Player of the Week award under their belts this year.
EMU goalkeeper Megan McCabe holds down the defensive side of the pitch, stopping 61shots in 14 games between the posts, the second most saves among all MAC goalies as well as 97th nationally. The sophomore has helped pitch two shutouts this season, including her first individual shutout in the Eagles' 3-0 win over Central Michigan, Oct. 6. McCabe has earned two MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors due to her success throughout the 2013 campaign.
Offensively Charged: Due to the recent offensive output in which the Green and White has scored 22 goals in the past eight games, EMU leads the conference in several offensive categories including goals (30), assists (32) and points (92); moreover, the Eagles pace the conference in each of those sections when looked at a per-game ratio. In total goals, Western Michigan is second in the MAC with 25 while Miami's 24 goals are the third best in the conference. Similarly, EMU holds a strong lead in points with 92 while the Broncos and RedHawks follow with 71 and 68 points, respectively. Not only does EMU stand at the top of the conference in assists, but that mark also ranks 17th in the nation. Overall, the Eagles boast the country's 40th best scoring offense.
EMU Drops Two Heartbreaking 1-0 Decisions at Home: The EMU soccer team lost two hard-fought contests at Scicluna Field this past weekend. The Eagles saw their six game winning streak come to an end at the hand of the Ball State Cardinals Friday, Oct. 11. BSU scored the difference maker in the 28th minute on a header off of a free kick. For just the second time this season, the Green and White was held scoreless throughout the 90 minute span, and the Cardinals held on to the 1-0 decision.
EMU looked to bounce back against defending MAC Champion Miami University Sunday, Oct. 13. While the Eagles controlled ball possession for the majority of the contest, including out-shooting Miami in total shots (20-11) as well as shots on goal (6-4). The game remained scoreless through regulation and the first overtime until the RedHawks found an opening in the 108th minute. The MU golden goal, with just 1:18 left before the match would have been called a draw, gave the RedHawks the one goal advantage and the game.
A Bout with the Bobcats: The Eagles will flock south to Chessa Field in Athens, Ohio to battle the Bobcats (6-4-4, 2-2-2 MAC), Oct. 18, for the 20th time in program history. EMU holds a slight advantage in the all-time series, 8-7-4, including winning the latest contest between the two teams, 2-1, Oct. 12, 2012.
OU is a balanced team with five different Bobcats tallying three goals apiece to pace the team in scoring. Redshirt-freshman Carly Manso has recorded two goals in 2013 while leading the MAC in assists with seven. Not only is Ohio a balanced team in terms of individual scoring, but the Bobcats tend to find the net in the second half, scoring 16-of-22 goals in the final 45 minutes of regulation while only allowing four goals during that time frame.
Hoping For a Familiar Outcome: The 2013 Eagles will hope to rebound against Ohio just like the the 2012 EMU soccer team did after losses in back-to-back games against Ball State and Miami a season ago. Returning to Scicluna Field, EMU broke the short losing skid to down the Bobcats, 2-1, Oct. 12, 2012. Cara Cutaia gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute and Bianca Rossi made it a two-goal affair in the 36th minute. Rossi also assisted on Cutaia's goal to earn the Mississauga, Ontario native a three-point afternoon. The Green and White had to hold off a pesky Ohio squad which outshot the Eagles, 5-2, in the second half and made it a one-goal game with 17 minutes to play in the contest.
Facing the Golden Flashes: The road trip through the state of Ohio concludes with a Sunday afternoon affair with the Kent State Golden Flashes (9-5-0, 4-2-0 MAC), Oct. 20. Coming off a pair of shutout victories over Buffalo, Oct. 11, and Akron, Oct. 13, the Golden Flashes find themselves at the top of the MAC East division past the halfway point of conference play. In those two victories, senior Jessacca Gironda scored all three goals for her team, bringing her total to 10 on the season to lead the conference. KSU has also been effective on the defensive side of the pitch, posting seven shutouts, including six individual shutouts by sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Senn. Senn's six shutouts are tied for a MAC best, and she holds a goals against average of 0.80 which ranks second in the conference.
EMU leads the all-time series, 11-7-0. The Eagles are looking to avenge a loss to the Golden Flashes the last time these two met as KSU shut down Eastern, 3-0, Oct. 14, 2012 at Scicluna Field.
In Our Previous Meeting vs. Kent State: A three-goal outburst in a span of seven minutes for Kent State spoiled Senior Day for the EMU soccer team Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 at Scicluna Field. In the 27th minute, the Golden Flashes scored back-to-back goals within 28 seconds to take a 2-0 lead. Another goal in the 34th minute increased the deficit to three, and both offenses were held at bay throughout the rest of the contest as KSU left Ypsilanti as 3-0 victors.
Beasts of the East: After facing Miami, EMU continues to face the best of the MAC East with Ohio and Kent State awaiting this weekend. The three teams boast the top three records in the division, totaling a conference mark of 9-4-4. Kent State leads the East with a 4-2-0 mark while Miami and Ohio follow with MAC records of 3-1-2 and 2-2-2, respectively.
Finding the Net First: Scoring first can be an important aspect of any game when it comes to momentum, confidence and strategy. Head Coach Scott Hall's squad has been extremely successful when posting the first number on the scoreboard. The Eagles have managed games efficiently when they are the first to find the net, holding a record of 6-1-0 in those contests.
Almost Tournament Time: With the conference season over the halfway point, the Mid-American Conference Tournament is just around the corner. The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the MAC Tournament, with quarterfinals contests held at home fields of the top four seeds. Following the quarterfinals, the highest remaining seed will host the semifinals as well at the MAC Championship game with an NCAA Tournament berth on the line.
If the MAC Tournament started today, EMU would be the fourth seed and host fifth-seeded Central Michigan University in a quarterfinal contest, Nov. 3, at Scicluna Field. The winner of that game would advance to face the winner of the No. 1 seed vs. No. 8 seed match which would pit Western Michigan against Northern Illinois.
Cutaia Climbing the Charts: Senior Cara Cutaia has guided her team on and off the field as a team captain throughout the 2013 campaign. The EMU midfielder leads the Eagles with seven goals on the season, bringing her career total to 18. That mark currently ranks eighth on the EMU career goals list as Brandy Jones and Michele Lawrence sit in a tie for sixth with 19 career goals.
Final Homestand: The Green and White return to Scicluna Field for the final homestand of the regular season, hosting Buffalo, Oct. 25, and Akron, Oct. 27. The home regular season finale against the Zips will be Senior Day as EMU seniors Stephanie Clark, Cara Cutaia, Allison Kaim, Emily Kowalzyk and Megan Pedro will be recognized for their careers at Eastern.
Coach Hall Interview
YPSILANTI, Mich (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University soccer team will look to get back to its winning ways with a pair of games in Ohio this weekend. The Green and White will invade Athens, Ohio, Oct. 18, to face the Ohio University Bobcats in a Friday evening matchup slated to begin at 4 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 20, the Eagles will conclude its Buckeye State swing in Kent, Ohio, taking on the Kent State University Golden Flashes at 1 p.m.
Team co-captain Cara Cutaia leads the offensive charge with 18 points and seven goals on the season, ranking third in the Mid-American Conference in both categories. Following closely behind are juniors Angela Vultaggio and Bianca Rossi, who have six and five goals, respectively. Both forwards, along with seniors Cutaia and Stephanie Clarke, have four assists through the first 14 games of the 2013 campaign to pace the team. Clarke, Rossi and Vultaggio each have a MAC Offensive Player of the Week award under their belts this year.
EMU goalkeeper Megan McCabe holds down the defensive side of the pitch, stopping 61shots in 14 games between the posts, the second most saves among all MAC goalies as well as 97th nationally. The sophomore has helped pitch two shutouts this season, including her first individual shutout in the Eagles' 3-0 win over Central Michigan, Oct. 6. McCabe has earned two MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors due to her success throughout the 2013 campaign.
Offensively Charged: Due to the recent offensive output in which the Green and White has scored 22 goals in the past eight games, EMU leads the conference in several offensive categories including goals (30), assists (32) and points (92); moreover, the Eagles pace the conference in each of those sections when looked at a per-game ratio. In total goals, Western Michigan is second in the MAC with 25 while Miami's 24 goals are the third best in the conference. Similarly, EMU holds a strong lead in points with 92 while the Broncos and RedHawks follow with 71 and 68 points, respectively. Not only does EMU stand at the top of the conference in assists, but that mark also ranks 17th in the nation. Overall, the Eagles boast the country's 40th best scoring offense.
EMU Drops Two Heartbreaking 1-0 Decisions at Home: The EMU soccer team lost two hard-fought contests at Scicluna Field this past weekend. The Eagles saw their six game winning streak come to an end at the hand of the Ball State Cardinals Friday, Oct. 11. BSU scored the difference maker in the 28th minute on a header off of a free kick. For just the second time this season, the Green and White was held scoreless throughout the 90 minute span, and the Cardinals held on to the 1-0 decision.
EMU looked to bounce back against defending MAC Champion Miami University Sunday, Oct. 13. While the Eagles controlled ball possession for the majority of the contest, including out-shooting Miami in total shots (20-11) as well as shots on goal (6-4). The game remained scoreless through regulation and the first overtime until the RedHawks found an opening in the 108th minute. The MU golden goal, with just 1:18 left before the match would have been called a draw, gave the RedHawks the one goal advantage and the game.
A Bout with the Bobcats: The Eagles will flock south to Chessa Field in Athens, Ohio to battle the Bobcats (6-4-4, 2-2-2 MAC), Oct. 18, for the 20th time in program history. EMU holds a slight advantage in the all-time series, 8-7-4, including winning the latest contest between the two teams, 2-1, Oct. 12, 2012.
OU is a balanced team with five different Bobcats tallying three goals apiece to pace the team in scoring. Redshirt-freshman Carly Manso has recorded two goals in 2013 while leading the MAC in assists with seven. Not only is Ohio a balanced team in terms of individual scoring, but the Bobcats tend to find the net in the second half, scoring 16-of-22 goals in the final 45 minutes of regulation while only allowing four goals during that time frame.
Hoping For a Familiar Outcome: The 2013 Eagles will hope to rebound against Ohio just like the the 2012 EMU soccer team did after losses in back-to-back games against Ball State and Miami a season ago. Returning to Scicluna Field, EMU broke the short losing skid to down the Bobcats, 2-1, Oct. 12, 2012. Cara Cutaia gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute and Bianca Rossi made it a two-goal affair in the 36th minute. Rossi also assisted on Cutaia's goal to earn the Mississauga, Ontario native a three-point afternoon. The Green and White had to hold off a pesky Ohio squad which outshot the Eagles, 5-2, in the second half and made it a one-goal game with 17 minutes to play in the contest.
Facing the Golden Flashes: The road trip through the state of Ohio concludes with a Sunday afternoon affair with the Kent State Golden Flashes (9-5-0, 4-2-0 MAC), Oct. 20. Coming off a pair of shutout victories over Buffalo, Oct. 11, and Akron, Oct. 13, the Golden Flashes find themselves at the top of the MAC East division past the halfway point of conference play. In those two victories, senior Jessacca Gironda scored all three goals for her team, bringing her total to 10 on the season to lead the conference. KSU has also been effective on the defensive side of the pitch, posting seven shutouts, including six individual shutouts by sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Senn. Senn's six shutouts are tied for a MAC best, and she holds a goals against average of 0.80 which ranks second in the conference.
EMU leads the all-time series, 11-7-0. The Eagles are looking to avenge a loss to the Golden Flashes the last time these two met as KSU shut down Eastern, 3-0, Oct. 14, 2012 at Scicluna Field.
In Our Previous Meeting vs. Kent State: A three-goal outburst in a span of seven minutes for Kent State spoiled Senior Day for the EMU soccer team Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 at Scicluna Field. In the 27th minute, the Golden Flashes scored back-to-back goals within 28 seconds to take a 2-0 lead. Another goal in the 34th minute increased the deficit to three, and both offenses were held at bay throughout the rest of the contest as KSU left Ypsilanti as 3-0 victors.
Beasts of the East: After facing Miami, EMU continues to face the best of the MAC East with Ohio and Kent State awaiting this weekend. The three teams boast the top three records in the division, totaling a conference mark of 9-4-4. Kent State leads the East with a 4-2-0 mark while Miami and Ohio follow with MAC records of 3-1-2 and 2-2-2, respectively.
Finding the Net First: Scoring first can be an important aspect of any game when it comes to momentum, confidence and strategy. Head Coach Scott Hall's squad has been extremely successful when posting the first number on the scoreboard. The Eagles have managed games efficiently when they are the first to find the net, holding a record of 6-1-0 in those contests.
Almost Tournament Time: With the conference season over the halfway point, the Mid-American Conference Tournament is just around the corner. The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the MAC Tournament, with quarterfinals contests held at home fields of the top four seeds. Following the quarterfinals, the highest remaining seed will host the semifinals as well at the MAC Championship game with an NCAA Tournament berth on the line.
If the MAC Tournament started today, EMU would be the fourth seed and host fifth-seeded Central Michigan University in a quarterfinal contest, Nov. 3, at Scicluna Field. The winner of that game would advance to face the winner of the No. 1 seed vs. No. 8 seed match which would pit Western Michigan against Northern Illinois.
Cutaia Climbing the Charts: Senior Cara Cutaia has guided her team on and off the field as a team captain throughout the 2013 campaign. The EMU midfielder leads the Eagles with seven goals on the season, bringing her career total to 18. That mark currently ranks eighth on the EMU career goals list as Brandy Jones and Michele Lawrence sit in a tie for sixth with 19 career goals.
Final Homestand: The Green and White return to Scicluna Field for the final homestand of the regular season, hosting Buffalo, Oct. 25, and Akron, Oct. 27. The home regular season finale against the Zips will be Senior Day as EMU seniors Stephanie Clark, Cara Cutaia, Allison Kaim, Emily Kowalzyk and Megan Pedro will be recognized for their careers at Eastern.
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