Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, October 26
Kalamazoo, Mich,
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
10-6-1, 6-4-0MAC
1
at
0
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
10-7-1, 4-5-1MAC
1
2
F
Eastern Michigan
1
0
1
Western Michigan
0
0
0
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Strong Defense and Tillar's Goal Lift EMU Soccer Over Rival Western Michigan, 1-0
10/26/2014 3:50:00 PM | Soccer
The Eagles clinch a MAC Tournament berth and control their own destiny in the race for the MAC West title
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – A goal by redshirt sophomore Ellie Tillar in the 39th minute was all the Eastern Michigan University soccer team needed to soar past rival Western Michigan University, 1-0, Sunday afternoon, Oct. 26, at the WMU Soccer Complex. With the victory, the Eagles (10-6-1, 6-4-0 MAC) not only clinched a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth, but they also control their own destiny in capturing the MAC West Division title.
Megan McCabe (9-5-1) made three saves to earn her seventh shutout of the season and 12th of her career, moving her into a tie for fourth on the EMU all-time shutouts list with former keeper Erin Norton. The junior Eagle was assisted by the back quartet of Emily Dzik, Hallee Kansman, Marisa Kozikowski and Rachel Washburn, who all played 90 minutes apiece to pitch in the clean sheet.
Tillar scored her third goal of the season on a back post finish as Dzik picked up the assist on the smooth pass to her teammate. Three of EMU's five shots throughout the match were on target, while the Broncos (10-7-1, 4-5-1 MAC) attempted three shots, including three on goal. In between the posts, WMU keeper Stephanie Herber allowed the game's lone goal in the first half and stopped two other shots in the final 45 minutes.
Western Michigan started the contest by controlling the ball on its offensive side of the pitch. The Broncos took the game's first six shots but were unable to score past the stiff EMU backline. After playing primarily defense for the first 37 minutes, Angela Vultaggio attempted Eastern's first shot to try and spark the EMU attack. With the field flipped, the Eagles found the back of the net just over one minute later to take the 1-0 lead. At the start of the 39th minute, Dzik found Tillar closing in on the back post, making the pass to the redshirt sophomore, who finished the scoring opportunity.
Despite holding the one-goal advantage, the Green and White were out-shot by the Broncos, 7-2. Western also had two corner kicks, while not allowing such an opportunity for the Eagles. McCabe stopped both of WMU's attempts that landed on goal.
In the second half, the Eastern defense held strong by limiting the Broncos to a pair of shots. Washburn came up from her position to blast a shot in the 59th minute in an attempt to double the lead, but it found the hands of Herber.
With less than 30 seconds to play, Western had one last chance for the equalizer by earning a corner kick. Nicole Hatcliffe fired a shot on net with 16 seconds left, but McCabe made the save to preserve the narrow 1-0 victory.
The Eagles will close out the 2014 regular season with a trip south, crossing the state border to battle the Bowling Green State University Falcons on Thursday, Oct 30. The cross-divisional matchup is set to begin at 3 p.m. A win over the Falcons would give EMU the MAC West Division title as well as the No. 3 seed for a MAC Tournament quarterfinal game on Sunday, Nov. 2.
Megan McCabe (9-5-1) made three saves to earn her seventh shutout of the season and 12th of her career, moving her into a tie for fourth on the EMU all-time shutouts list with former keeper Erin Norton. The junior Eagle was assisted by the back quartet of Emily Dzik, Hallee Kansman, Marisa Kozikowski and Rachel Washburn, who all played 90 minutes apiece to pitch in the clean sheet.
Tillar scored her third goal of the season on a back post finish as Dzik picked up the assist on the smooth pass to her teammate. Three of EMU's five shots throughout the match were on target, while the Broncos (10-7-1, 4-5-1 MAC) attempted three shots, including three on goal. In between the posts, WMU keeper Stephanie Herber allowed the game's lone goal in the first half and stopped two other shots in the final 45 minutes.
Western Michigan started the contest by controlling the ball on its offensive side of the pitch. The Broncos took the game's first six shots but were unable to score past the stiff EMU backline. After playing primarily defense for the first 37 minutes, Angela Vultaggio attempted Eastern's first shot to try and spark the EMU attack. With the field flipped, the Eagles found the back of the net just over one minute later to take the 1-0 lead. At the start of the 39th minute, Dzik found Tillar closing in on the back post, making the pass to the redshirt sophomore, who finished the scoring opportunity.
Despite holding the one-goal advantage, the Green and White were out-shot by the Broncos, 7-2. Western also had two corner kicks, while not allowing such an opportunity for the Eagles. McCabe stopped both of WMU's attempts that landed on goal.
In the second half, the Eastern defense held strong by limiting the Broncos to a pair of shots. Washburn came up from her position to blast a shot in the 59th minute in an attempt to double the lead, but it found the hands of Herber.
With less than 30 seconds to play, Western had one last chance for the equalizer by earning a corner kick. Nicole Hatcliffe fired a shot on net with 16 seconds left, but McCabe made the save to preserve the narrow 1-0 victory.
The Eagles will close out the 2014 regular season with a trip south, crossing the state border to battle the Bowling Green State University Falcons on Thursday, Oct 30. The cross-divisional matchup is set to begin at 3 p.m. A win over the Falcons would give EMU the MAC West Division title as well as the No. 3 seed for a MAC Tournament quarterfinal game on Sunday, Nov. 2.
Team Stats
EMU
WMU
Goals
1
0
Shots
5
9
Shots on Goal
3
3
Saves
3
2
Corners
3
5
Fouls
7
4
Scoring Plays
TILLAR, Ellie (3)
Assisted By: DZIK, Emily
finish bask post
39:00
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
D/M
/ Soccer
GK
/ SoccerMF
/ SoccerF
/ SoccerD
/ SoccerThank You from EMU Soccer!
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Soccer
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - Eastern Michigan Soccer
Monday, December 01
Cinematic Highlights: Eastern Soccer vs. Kent State
Monday, October 28