Eagles Close Out Road Trip in Ohio

WEEK FOUR PLAY, PIVITOL FOR EMU'S PLAYOFF HOPES: If the season were to end today the Eagles would be left on the outside looking in, in terms of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. At 1-4-1 in the league, Eastern Michigan has mustered four points, putting them behind a number of teams tied with six. Trailing in the points race, the pressure is on the Eagles this weekend. Coming away with points against a pair of team's ahead of them in the race is the start to catapulting up the standings and into the postseason.

SCOUTING REPORT: OHIO: Carrying a three-game losing streak into Friday's afternoon bout with the Eagles, the Bobcats hope to bounce back at home. Losing to Western Michigan, Miami, and Ball State, Ohio has been outscored 6-1 over their past three matches. The three-game skid comes on the heels of a 2-1 start to Mid-American Conference play that included a 1-nil shutout of the 2014 MAC Champion and NCAA Tournament participant, Buffalo, in Buffalo, N.Y.
   Stephanie Rowland is the top striker for the Bobcats, netting a team-high five goals on 30 shots this season. With three game-winning goals to her credit, Rowland accounts for nearly 50 percent of the Ohio offense. Alexis Milesky is second on the team, with three goals while Hannah Jaggers has handed out a team-best two assists this season.
   In goal, the Bobcats have had three different players earn the starting nod this season. Taylor Smith has earned the team's starts as of late, boasting a team-best .816 save percentage while also leading the team with a 1.17 goals against average. Smith and the Ohio goalkeeping corp have faced 187 shots this season as the defense has allowed 23 goals this year.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. OHIO: Friday's match with the Bobcats marks the 23rd meeting between the two teams with EMU holding a 11-7-4 lead all-time in the series. The Eagles came away with a win in last season's meeting, handing the Bobcats a 2-1 setback. EMU has won the last three matches, outscoring the Bobcats 7-2 over that stretch. The last time Ohio clipped the Eagles was Sept. 23, 2011 when the Bobcats grinded out a 1-nil win in Athens, Ohio.

SCOUTING REPORT: KENT STATE: At 3-3-0 in Mid-American Conference play, the Golden Flashes are coming off back-to-back shutout losses in which Ball State and Miami handed Kent State, 3-0 and 1-0 decisions, respectively. The pair of MAC losses came one weekend after the Golden Flashes erupted for nine goals in two games to take care of Western Michigan and Northern Illinois. Kent State hopes to get an up-and-down season back on track this weekend when they open week four of MAC play against Bowling Green.
   Kent State benefits from the play of Jenna Hellstrom, one of the most dynamic players in the conference. Leading the team in points (26), goals (9), and assists (8), Hellstrom also leads the league in each of the categories. Adding in a league-best four game-winning goals, the Eagles defense will have it's work cut out for them in terms of containing and shutting down the talented striker. Doni Capehart has added seven goals this season while Hayden Pascoe has registered three goals and four assists in her second season with the Golden Flashes.
   The strong play on attack has been balanced by Asleah McDonald's play in goal. Starting 12 games for Kent State, McDonald owns a 1.15 goals against average with 56 saves and a .800 save percentage. Facing 138 shots this season in nearly 1,100 minutes of play, McDonald has posted one shutout on her way to a 7-4-1 record.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. KENT STATE: Like the all-time series with the Bobcats, EMU holds the upperhand in the series with Kent State. Leading in the series 12-8-0 heading into the 20th meeting between the teams. Kent State has won three of the last four, including a 2-1 overtime victory a season ago. Downed by a goal in the 97th minute on their home field, the Eagles will look to avenge the loss on Sunday.

LOCKED IN ON DEFENSE: After giving up 18 goals in the first three games of the season, the Eagles defense has locked in, surrendering just 12 since. Paced by the phenomenal play of a veteran back line made up of senior Julia Lombardi (Oakville, Ontario-Queen Elizabeth Park), junior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland), redshirt senior Hallee Kansman (Farmington Hills, Mich.-North Farmington), and redshirt junior Jennifer Bentley (London, Ontario-London) the Eagles defense has vastly improved from a tough start. Kansman and Washburn have made a living blocking shots and cutting off break aways from their position at center back while Lombardi and Bentley have patrolled runs on the outside and made it difficult for opponents to get off crosses. The cohort of tenacious defenders stand in front of the Eagles' goalkeepers - freshman Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka) and senior Megan McCabe (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect). McCabe came into the season as the clear-cut favorite for the starting job between the posts but injuries allowed Williams several opportunities in goal. Together, the duo has combined to hold Mid-American Conference opponents to 1.17 goals per game through six league games.

HIGH-CALIBER PLAY OF WASHBURN ADDS TO EMU'S ARSENAL: Junior defender Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) has made her presence known at center back for the Eagles. In her third season donning the Green and White, Washburn has set career-highs in assists (5) and minutes (1100). The only EMU player to spend every minute on the pitch this season, Washburn has consistently caused opposing strikers fits near goal. While her tenacious defensive effort has been a key to success for the Eagles, Washburn's ability to serve up assists offensively has been equally important. Assisting on five of EMU's 13 goals this season, Washburn's boot has paid dividends for the Eagles.

EAGLES TAKE ONE POINT ON WEEK THREE OF MAC PLAY: The Green and White opened week three of Mid-American Conference play with a scoreless draw in Mount Pleasant, Mich. against MAC West rival Central Michigan. The draw with the Chippewas gave the Eagles a crucial point in the MAC standings, moving their season total to four. It looked as though EMU would play to another nil-nil draw Sunday, in the Glass City. Taking on Toledo, the Eagles defense withstood constant fire power but the EMU strikers could not muster many opportunities leaving the game scoreless heading into the 70th minute. Following a scoring opportunity by the Eagles, the Rockets countered and buried the game-winning goal despite a valiant one-on-one effort by senior goalkeeper Megan McCabe (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect). With the 0-1-1 showing on the weekend, the Eagles fell to 1-4-1 in league play.

SCORING FIRST A KEY TO SUCCESS FOR EAGLES: With a 3-2 win over Akron, Sunday, Oct. 4, the Eagles improved to 3-0-1 when scoring the first goal of the match. On the flip side, the Green and White are 1-8-0 when having to chase the opponents and play from behind. Eastern Michigan recorded its lone come-from-behind victory, Sunday, Sept. 20, over Green Bay at Scicluna Field.

ONE-GOAL GAMES, AN ACHILLES HEEL FOR THE EAGLES: One-goal games have been plentiful on the Eagles' 2015 slate. Owning a 3-5 record in games decided by one goal, late goals by opponents have downed the Eagles. Most recently, a goal in the 70th minute against Toledo handed the Eagles a 1-nil setback.

FIRST HALF GOALS DRIVE EAGLES TO VICTORY: Scoring a total of 13 goals this season, the Eagles have scored nine in the first half. The nine opening frame tallies have led the Green and White to a 3-1-1 mark in 2015. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan is 1-7-0 in matches in which they do not register a goal in the first half.

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Players Mentioned

Jennifer Bentley

Hallee Kansman

Julia Lombardi

Megan McCabe

Rachel Washburn

Kaylin Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics