Eagles and Titans Play to a Scoreless Draw to Begin the Preseason

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University soccer team kicked off the 2014-15 EMU Athletics year with a 0-0 draw against the University of Detroit Mercy Thursday evening, Aug. 14, at Scicluna Field. The contest was the first action of the year for both teams.

It was a tale of two halves as the Eagles controlled the majority of the first half, while the Titans took advantage in the second. However, neither team was able to find the back of the net after 90 minutes. Overall, EMU out-shot UDM 11-7, including 4-1 in shots on goal. The Eagles also attempted twice as many corner kicks as Detroit, 6-3.

With the contest being the first time against opposition for the 2014 Eagles, Head Coach Scott Hall made sure to balance the minutes, playing a total of 21 Eagles throughout the match. He also split times between keepers as junior Megan McCabe played the first half with redshirt-junior Jenna O'Dell between the posts for the final 45 minutes. O'Dell made the lone save for EMU.

Molli Krick, Bianca Rossi and Martha Stevens led Eastern with two shots apiece as both of Stevens' attempts landed on goal. For Detroit, Anna Mindling shot a team-high two times, while five other Titans took one shot apiece.

Both teams shared possession of the ball throughout the first half. In the 13th minute, Eastern had the first scoring opportunity, but Krick's shot was saved by Martha Dunbar. Eight minutes later, senior Angela Vultaggio rifled a blast, but was denied by the crossbar to keep the game scoreless.

For the remainder of the first half, the Eagles controlled the pace, but were unable to find the net. After 45 minutes, the match remained without a score despite EMU taking nine shots and preventing the Titans from attempting a single shot. The Green and White had five corner kicks in the first half compared to two for Detroit.

After failing to take a shot in the opening 45, the Titans rattled off three attempts in the first three minutes of the second half, putting pressure on EMU. During that time, UDM's Alyssa Lotito fired a shot towards O'Dell, who made the save in her first few minutes of action as she came out to start the second half.

Stevens found another opportunity for a shot on goal, but the shot found the hands of reserve goalkeeper Marina Manzo. Both defenses held strong through the rest of the game. The best opportunity in the final half for Coach Hall's squad happened in the 88th minute as sophomore Michelle Rollins tried an opposite corner shot from the box; however, a Titan defender made a diving block to prevent the ball to get even close to the net. Stef Barcelos proceeded with the corner kick, but the set piece did not present a scoring chance for the Eagles.

Eastern Michigan will wrap up the preseason with one final exhibition contest at Scicluna Field Saturday, Aug. 16. The Green and White host Butler University with the contest set to begin at 4 p.m.

Eagles and Titans Play to a Scoreless Draw to Begin the Preseason

Next Event

Team Stats

Molli Krick

Bianca Rossi

Martha Stevens

Michelle Rollins

Eastern Michigan Athletics