Senior Day Highlights EMU Soccer's Upcoming Weekend at Home

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University soccer team will look to complete an undefeated regular season home record. EMU will host a pair of Mid-American Conference East divisional opponents for the final two regular season games at Scicluna Field. The Eagles will face the Kent State University Golden Flashes (7-4-3, 2-2-0 MAC) on Friday, Oct. 17, at 4 p.m. before Ohio University (6-8-0, 3-3-0 MAC) comes to town Sunday, Oct. 19, for Senior Day. Eight senior Eagles will be recognized following the 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon contest.
   The EMU attack is led by senior forward Angela Vultaggio. The reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year has recorded team highs in goals (6) and points (13) with both numbers ranking third and fourth, respectively, among conference leaders. Fellow senior Bianca Rossi follows closely behind Vultaggio with four goals and a pair of assists, totaling 10 points. Meanwhile, Madison Hirsch, Marisa Kozikowski and Chelsie Oddan pace the Green and White in assists with three apiece. In goal for Eastern, junior keeper and reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Week Megan McCabe (8-3-1) holds down the defensive side of the pitch. Through the first 13 games of the season, McCabe has posted six shutouts to go along with a 0.81 goals against average. She has made 57 saves for a .851 save percentage.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS: The final home match of the regular season will be on Sunday, Oct. 19, against Ohio. Following the contest, eight senior Eagles will be honored as part of Senior Day festivities: Emily Dzik, Marisa Kozikowski, Molli Krick, Jenna O'Dell, Chelsie Oddan, Bianca Rossi, Martha Stevens and Angela Vultaggio Over the past four season, these eight Eagles have led the EMU soccer program to 34 victories, including 23 in MAC play. Last season, this senior class played a vital part in the Eagles claiming the MAC regular season title, the program's first since 2003. This year, led by the seniors, EMU is once again in the hunt to defend the conference crown with sights on a MAC Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament berth as well.

   #8 EMILY DZIK: Dzik has been a familiar face on the pitch for the Eagles over the past four years, starting in all 71 games and counting throughout her collegiate career, totaling over 6,500 minutes. Prior to this season, she was selected as one-of-30 women's soccer players throughout the nation as a candidate for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award, an honor given to someone who best exemplifies excellence in the four C's: community, classroom, character and competition. As a junior, Emily was named MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, leading an EMU defense that pitched five shutouts throughout 2013. She also collected NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team and All-MAC First Team honors as a junior, while shining in the classroom to earn CoSIDA Academic All-District Second Team and Academic All-MAC accolades. Dzik was also an All-MAC First Team performer as a sophomore and earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman Team in her first year donning the Green and White. Although a defender, Emily has scored eight goals throughout her four-year career, showing off her versatility on the pitch.

   #19 MARISA KOZIKOWSKI: Kozikowski is another Eagle who has seen a ton of game action throughout her career, appearing in 69 games, including 52 starts. In her final season at EMU, Marisa has been a primary factor in the EMU backline that has produced six shutouts. In four seasons as an Eagle, the Troy, Mich. native has recorded 12 assists on offense, including six as a junior when she earned All-MAC Second Team and Academic All-MAC honors. She was also recognized as MAC Defensive Player of the Week during the 2013 season. Kozikowski started all 19 games as a sophomore, while playing in an additional 17 games as a freshman.

   #13 MOLLI KRICK: Krick has played in 70 career games as an Eagle, making 53 starts in the midfield. Krick has been a primary instigator of the EMU attack by starting scoring opportunities for her teammates. Earlier this year, Molli was on the receiving end of a scoring chance, recording her first career goal against Illinois-Chicago. Krick also has five assists to her credit, while totaling over 5,500 minutes in her four-year career. The Novi, Mich. native is also a two-time Academic All-MAC honorable mention recipient.

   #23 JENNA O'DELL: O'Dell has been the Eagles' starting keeper in 18 games over her two seasons at EMU, not including the 2013 season which was missed due to injury. Jenna was Eastern's primary keeper during the 2012 season, posting an 8-6-2 record to go along with five shutouts and 90 saves, the second-most in the MAC that year. She earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors once as well. For her career, Troy, Mich. native has a save percentage of .795.

   #5 CHELSIE ODDAN: Oddan has participated in 51 games over her EMU career, bouncing back from a pair of season-ending injuries. This season, the Calgary, Alberta native has started all 13 games for the Green and White, posting a team-high three assists. Oddan also scored her first career goal one week ago to help the Eagles defeat rival Central Michigan, 2-0. While missing the 2013 season, the redshirt-senior played in 36 games from 2011-2012, including 22 starts during that stretch. Throughout her four seasons, Oddan has played over 3,000 minutes.

   #18 BIANCA ROSSI: Rossi has been on the pitch for the Eagles 66 times through four seasons, making 56 starts as an offensive threat in the EMU attack. She has 22 career goals for the fifth-most in EMU history. Rossi's name will also be featured in the program's record book for points and assists, currently ranking sixth in both categories. This season, the Mississauga, Ontario native is second on the team with four goals and 10 points, scoring the game-winning goals against Ball State and Toledo. She was MAC Offensive Player of the Week once in 2013 and scored six goals throughout the season as EMU won the conference regular season title. Rossi had a breakout sophomore season in which she led the team with eight goals and 21 points to collect All-MAC First Team accolades. During her first season as an Eagle, Bianca played in all 18 games and was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team.

   #20 MARTHA STEVENS: Stevens has played in 56 career games at EMU, while primarily coming off the bench as a scoring threat. Since the 2012 season, Martha has appeared in every Eastern soccer match, totaling 53 games. She scored three goals as a junior, including the game-winner in the 2013 season opener versus Detroit, while also adding a pair of goals during her sophomore campaign. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich. native is also a two-time Academic All-MAC honorable mention recipient.

   #4 ANGELA VULTAGGIO: Vultaggio's career will go down as one of the best in Eastern Michigan history as she has played in every single EMU game since arriving on campus. Throughout her career, the Chesterfield, Mich. native has recorded 31 goals and 79 points to rank third in the EMU soccer record book. Vultaggio has tallied four multi-goal games and is a four-time MAC Offensive Player of the Week award winner. In her final year donning the Green and White, Angela leads the team with six goals scored to go along with 13 points. As a junior, she was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-MAC and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team after leading Eagles with 13 goals and eight assists for a total of 34 points en route to EMU's MAC title run. She also collected Academic All-MAC honors and earned MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week once during the 2013 season. For her sophomore campaign, Vultaggio recorded 19 points for the third-best total on the team, while also being named to the Academic All-MAC honorable mention list. In her first year at EMU, Angela played in all 18 games and led the Eagles in goal with six, earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors.

REBOUND WEEKEND: After dropping two conference games, the Eagles bounced back with a perfect weekend at Scicluna Field. Senior Bianca Rossi scored with less than four minutes remaining to propel EMU past Toledo, 1-0, Oct. 10, while two first half goals helped the Eagles soar over Central Michigan, 2-0, Oct. 12. In the victory over the Rockets, Megan McCabe and the EMU defense kept Toledo off the scoreboard before Rossi connected the ball with the back of her right heel and directed it into the right side of the net. The Eagles controlled the ball for the majority of the contest, outshooting Toledo 10-2 in the first half and 13-11 for the entire 90 minutes of play.
   Eastern cruised to a 2-0 victory over the Chippewas to complete the perfect homecoming weekend. Redshirt-senior midfielder Chelsie Oddan scored the first goal of her career, while junior Megan Trapp added a header off the bench late in the first half for the Green and White. Guarding the goal, keeper McCabe produced a clean sheet for the Eagles, making three saves for her sixth shutout of the season and 11th of her career. The EMU backline of Rachel Washburn, Emily Dzik, Hallee Kansman and Marisa Kozikowski limited Central Michigan on quality scoring opportunities as the Chippewas attempted only eight shots throughout the contest.

BACK IN THE HUNT: Following back-to-back victories, the Eagles find themselves back in the hunt for the MAC regular season crown. Earning six points for the two wins, EMU made up four points on MAC-leading Buffalo as the Bulls tied their two previous matches. The Green and White is alone at the top of the MAC West division, but trails Miami and Buffalo in the conference title race. UB remains in first with 14 points, while the RedHawks follow closely behind with 13 points with the two teams yet to face each other on the pitch. Behind Eastern (12 points) are Northern Illinois and Western Michigan with 11 and 10 points, respectively. If the season ended today, the Eagles would host a first round MAC Tournament game, Nov. 2 at Scicluna Field.

FOCUSING ON THE GOLDEN FLASHES: Kent State finds itself in the middle of the MAC pack with a 2-2-2 record in conference play to go along with an overall record of 7-4-3. The Golden Flashes forced a 1-1 draw with Miami before falling to Ball State, 1-0, to close out last weekend. KSU is led by sophomore forward Jenna Hellstrom, who paces the team in both goals and assists with five apiece. Her five assists are a MAC best, while she sits third in the conference with 15 points. Six of Kent State's seven wins have been shutouts behind junior goalie Stephanie Senn. In between the post, Senn holds an impressive goals against average of 0.750 to go along with an .861 save percentage, stopping 68 shots on goal.
   EMU leads the all-time series over the Golden Flashes, 12-7-0, including a 2-0 victory at Kent State last season. Megan McCabe stopped all five shots on goal that the Golden Flashes sent her direction for her third-consecutive shutout away from the friendly confines of Scicluna Field. Angela Vultaggio was a factor in the Eagles' scoring all afternoon, recording three points via an assist as well as a goal. Bianca Rossi put the Green and White on the board first with her goal in the 58th minute.

OBSERVING OHIO: The Bobcats are also in the middle of the conference standings with an even .500 record of 3-3-0 in MAC play, bringing their 2014 record to 6-8-0. Ohio has split all three of its weekends of conference games, including a 1-0 win over Ball State accompanied by a 2-0 setback to Miami in its last two games. Through OU's 14 games this season, sophomore Alexis Milesky has scored three of the team's 15 goals, while four other Bobcats have recorded two goals apiece. In goal for Ohio, Nicole Amari has started every game, making 76 saves for the third most out of any MAC goalkeeper. The senior keeper also has four shutouts to her credit.
   The Eagles and Bobcats will meet on the pitch for the 20th time in history after facing off against one another twice last season. Eastern holds a 9-6-4 advantage in the series, while taking both contests in 2013 by a 3-0 tally. EMU picked up a conference road victory in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 18, before defeating OU in the first round of the MAC Tournament, Nov. 3, at Scicluna Field. In the quarterfinal match, Stephanie Clarke scored the first two goals of the game, while Angela Vultaggio added the third. Vultaggio chipped in with an assist on a Clarke goal, and Marisa Kozikowski provided the assists on the other two goals. Megan McCabe made six saves to keep the Bobcats off the scoreboard for the second time in as many matchups.

STATISTICAL LEADERS: Through 13 games of the 2014 season, multiple Eagles find themselves near the top in conference and national rankings. Angela Vultaggio is third in the conference in goals (6) and fourth in points (13). Fellow senior forward Bianca Rossi is also at the top of both categories as she is sixth with four goals and 10 points. Recording three assists each in 2014, Madison Hirsch, Marisa Kozikowski and Chelsie Oddan crack the top-10 in the conference's category, sitting in a tie for eighth. In goal, Megan McCabe's six shutouts are tied for second in the conference. To go along with her shutouts, the Arlington Heights, Ill. native boasts a save percentage of .851 for the 37th-best mark in the entire country. Allowing an average of just .813 goals per game, McCabe ranks 64th in the nation.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The EMU soccer team enjoys the comfort of playing on its home pitch of Scicluna Field. The Eagles are an undefeated 5-0-0 at Scicluna Field this season and have posted an impressive 18-6-3 home record over the past three years. Through the program's 20 seasons, the Eagles have compiled a record of 102-44-24 on their home pitch. Scicluna Field has hosted EMU women's soccer competition since the 1995 season.

MCCABE HONORED AS MAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Leading the Eastern Michigan University soccer team to a pair of shutout victories on homecoming weekend, junior goalkeeper Megan McCabe was named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced, Oct. 13. The weekly accolade marks the fifth time that McCabe has been tabbed as the conference's top defensive student-athlete for a given week in her career. It is also the second weekly award of the season for McCabe as she was the MAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Week, Oct. 1.
   McCabe led the Eagles to the top of the MAC West Division with a pair of shutout victories over divisional opponents. She did not allow a goal in 180 minutes of play, making seven saves in the two wins. The junior keeper made four saves in the Eagles' 1-0 win over Toledo, Oct. 10, before stopping three shots to help the Green and White defeat Central Michigan, 2-0, Oct. 12. Preserving the shutout against the rival Chippewas, McCabe made a brilliant save late in the contest. A CMU shot looked out of reach as it rose to the upper right corner of the net; nonetheless, McCabe leaped to the corner with an outstretched hand to swat the ball away, drawing a huge applause from the crowd as the 2-0 shutout victory was kept intact.
   With a pair of shutouts this weekend, McCabe now has six shutouts for the 2014 campaign to go along with an overall record of 8-3-1 in between the posts. Her two clean sheets improve her career total to 11 for fifth in EMU soccer history. The Arlington Heights, Ill. native has made 57 stops in 13 games for a save percentage of .851, allowing an average of just .81 goals per game.

FINDING THE NET FIRST: Scoring first can be an important aspect of any game when it comes to momentum, confidence and strategy. In 2013, Head Coach Scott Hall's squad was extremely successful when posting the first number on the scoreboard, managing games efficiently when they are the first to find the net and holding a record of 9-1-1 in those contests. This year is nothing different as the Eagles have scored first in seven games. compiling a 7-1-1 mark in those contests. EMU also has one come-from-behind win to its credit. Despite Ball State scoring in the seventh minute of the MAC West battle, Sept. 28, the Green and White scored late in the first half as well as early in overtime to complete the comeback victory.

ROSSI LIKES #MACTION: Mid-American Conference games seem to bring the best out of Bianca Rossi. Throughout her four-year career, the senior forward has recorded 15 of her 22 goals in MAC contests. As a freshman, she tied for a team-high four goals against conference opponents before adding five more as a sophomore. During her junior season, Rossi recorded three goals and found scoring opportunities for her teammates with an additional four assists. In her final season donning the Green and White, Rossi has gotten off on the right foot in MAC play. The Mississauga, Ontario native has recorded three of the team's eight goals in MAC play. Rossi recorded an assist in the 2-0 win over Miami, Sept. 26, before scoring both goals in the Eagles' 2-1 overtime victory against Ball State, Sept. 28. In the victory versus the Cardinals, Rossi's scoring performance was the second multi-goal game of her career as she also scored twice against Oakland during the 2012 season. Most recently, Rossi found the back of the net with less than four minutes to go to help the Eagles soar past the Toledo Rockets, 1-0, Oct. 10.

MAC WEST ROAD TRIP: The final three games of the 2014 regular season will be on the road for the EMU soccer team. Eastern will first take on the two teams closest in pursuit of the Eagles for the top spot in the MAC West division. The Eagles flock to DeKalb, Ill. Friday, Oct. 24, to battle the Huskies of Northern Illinois University in a primetime matchup set for 7 p.m. CT. On Sunday, Oct. 26, the Green and White returns to the Great Lakes State to square off against rival Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. at 1 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Stephanie Clarke

Emily Dzik

Madison Hirsch

Hallee Kansman

Marisa Kozikowski

Molli Krick

Megan McCabe

Jenna O'Dell

Chelsie Oddan

Bianca Rossi

Martha Stevens

Megan Trapp

Angela Vultaggio

Rachel Washburn

Eastern Michigan Athletics