Eagles Victorious in Season Opener Against Detroit, 3-2

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Two unanswered goals propelled the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team to a 3-2 season-opening victory over the University of Detroit Mercy Titans Friday evening, Aug. 23, at Scicluna Field. Junior midfielder Martha Stevens (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-Marian) used her head to score the game-winning goal for the Green and White after receiving a perfect cross from senior Stephanie Clarke (London, Ontario-St. Thomas Aquinas) in the game's 68th minute. The Eagles controlled ball possession for the majority of the contest's remaining 22 minutes to secure the victory in the season opener for both teams.

Sophomore Megan McCabe (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect) (1-0) picked up the victory in goal for EMU (1-0), stopping five shots from the Titans. Detroit's Martha Dunbar (0-1) allowed three goals while collecting four saves. The Eagles outshot the Titans (0-1) 18-14.

Along with Stevens, Cara Cutaia (Burlington, Ontario-Notre Dame Catholic) and Angela Vultaggio (Chesterfield, Mich.-L'Anse Creuse North) found the net for Eastern. Cutaia also added an assist when she found Vultaggio for the Eagles' first goal of the season. Haley Burtraw recorded both goals for the Titans.

Detroit took only seven minutes to score the season's first goal. Alyssa Lotito served a crisp pass to teammate Haley Burtraw who beat McCabe on the right side, giving the Titans an early 1-0 lead. However, Cutaia showed her leadership as a team captain by leading a pass up the middle for Vultaggio. Dunbar gambled by coming up to challenge Vultaggio, but the junior forward dribbled swiftly past her to casually put the ball in the net, tying the game up at one goal apiece. Both teams continued to challenge the other's goalkeeper, but the defenses held strong as the game remained tied going into the half.

In the second half, UDM took the lead on Burtraw's second goal of the game with 31:26 remaining in the match. Following a corner kick, there was a mad scramble inside the box. With both teams battling close to the goal, Burtraw finally came up with a ball to send it into the goal to give Detroit the one goal advantage.

The Titans' lead did not last long as Cutaia found the scoring column four minutes later. After a cross proved to be unsuccessful the Burlington, Ontario native kept challenging in the box before finally coming up with the ball. Cutaia proceeded to give the Eagles the spark they needed as she struck the back of the net to knot the match up, 2-2.

EMU continued on the offensive and kept the momentum going. Coming down the right side of the pitch, Clarke sent a high cross into the box. The superb pass found Stevens by the opposite post, and she was able to send a header past the keeper, giving the Eagles the lead for good with 22:42 left in the contest. Throughout the rest of the match, the Green and White showed their experience by controlling possession as the clock ticked down, hanging on for the 3-2 decision.

Next, the Eagles will make their first road trip of the season, heading down to Columbus, Ohio to face No. 23 Ohio State Sunday, Aug. 25. Kickoff from Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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Team Stats

Angela Vultaggio

Cara Cutaia

Martha Stevens

Stephanie Clarke

Eastern Michigan Athletics