Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, October 23
Scicluna Field
3 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Western Michigan, Senior Day, on Horizon for EMU Soccer
10/21/2015 11:50:00 AM | Soccer
The Eagles open a three-game home stand against Western Michigan, Oct. 23
Complete Release (PDF)
PRESSURE IS ON THE EAGLES IN WEEK FIVE OF CONFERENCE PLAY: 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 2-5-1 in the league, Eastern Michigan has recorded seven points, putting them just outside the playoff picture. Ball State leads the points race with 21, while Western Michigan isn't far behind with 19. Tied atop the MAC East, Miami and Buffalo have 16 points each with Kent State on their heels with 15. Central Michigan sits in sixth with 13 points, followed by Ohio and Akron who are tied with nine. In ninth, the Eagles rank above Bowling Green, Toledo, and Northern Illinois.
SCOUTING REPORT: WESTERN MICHIGAN: Western Michigan travels to Scicluna Field with a three-game winning streak following wins over Akron, Mid-American Conference East Division leading Miami, and MAC West leader, Ball State. After posting back-to-back shutouts over the Zips and RedHawks, the Broncos handed Ball State their first conference loss of the season, 2-1, in Kalamazoo, Mich. With a 6-1-1 record in MAC play and 19 points, Western Michigan sits second in the standings.
The Broncos have five players with double-digit points, with Emma Kahn leading the way with 15. Kahn leads the team with seven goals this season. Irene Young follows Kahn closely, totaling 14 points with a team-best six assists on the year. Gina Maddi, Tiffany Buckler, and Olivia Vollmers have added 10 points each. While Maddi has consistently been in the starting eleven, Buckler and Vollmers have provided an impact off the bench giving the Broncos one of the most dynamic attacks in the conference. A key to success for the Broncos this season has been their ability to put set pieces in the back of the net. Western Michigan leads the MAC in corners per game, taking six trips to the corner flag per match in MAC play.
Western Michigan has surrendered just four goals in MAC play, behind the outstanding play of goalkeeper Stephanie Heber. With a MAC-best seven shutouts this season, Heber owns a 0.69 goals against average and a save percentage of .820. Five of the Broncons six MAC wins have come courtesy of Heber shutouts, thanks to a tenacious backline. In order to come away with points against the Broncos, the Eagles will need a top-notch match on both sides of the pitch.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN: Eastern Michigan leads a storied rivalry with Western Michigan, 11-10-4 in the all-time series but the Broncos have won matches when they count the most. Most recently, the Broncos stunned the Eagles 3-2 in double-overtime resulting in an early exit from the Mid-American Conference Tournament and an abrupt ending to the 2014 season. The Eagles will look to avenge last year's heartbreaking loss, Friday, as they continue their climb up the MAC standings when the teams square off for the 26th time.
SCOUTING REPORT: NORTHERN ILLINOIS: At 2-12-1 the Huskies enter week five of Mid-American Conference play on the heels of a scoreless draw with Miami. The 0-0 deadlock snapped a six-game losing streak in which Northern Illinois was outscored 21-6. Holding a 1-6-1 mark in MAC play, the Huskies have not been eliminated from postseason play but will have to post wins over Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, and Western Michigan to have a shot at postseason play.
Like the Eagles, the Huskies have been hampered by inconsistent goal production. NIU has scored a total of eight goals in conference play, while the Eagles have managed seven. Lauren Gierman and Nicole Gobbo have led the attack for Northern Illinois, combining for 10 of the team's 15 goals. Gierman leads the team with six goals on the year while Gobbo has four to her credit on a team-high 36 shots. With Gierman and Gobbo carrying 67 percent of the scoring load, just four other players have registered goals this season.
Northern Illinois has split time in goal between MacKenzie Lee and Amy Annala. While both keepers have posted a shutout this season, Annala has earned the nod as of late. Bouncing back from a 4-0 loss to Mid-American Conference leader, Ball State, Annala stood strong for 110 minutes against Western Michigan to lead the Huskies to a 0-0 draw. Annala tallied 17 saves over the weekend, moving her season total to a team-best 66. The sophomore keeper also leads the team in save percentage (.725) and minutes (962:52). Defensively, the Huskies have given up 14.5 shots per match in league play, forcing Annala to withstand constant pressure. The Eagles are 2-0-0 this season when firing off at least 14 shots.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS: The Eagles hold a 14-4-2 record over the Huskies, including a 8-2-1 mark over the past decade. Despite holding the overall edge in the series, Northern Illinois took last season's meeting, 3-1. The loss broke the Eagles' six-game win streak over the Huskies, dating back to the 2007 season. Sitting at the bottom of the Mid-American Conference standings, Northern Illinois will look to play spoiler at Scicluna Field, with the Eagles fighting to extend their season and earn a seed in the MAC Tournament.
SENIOR DAY CELEBRATION SET FOR SUNDAY: Sunday's match against Northern Illinois will feature a celebration of the careers of another strong senior class at Eastern Michigan. Seniors Megan McCabe (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect), Julia Lombardi (Oakville, Ontario-Queen Elizabeth Park), Hallee Kansman (Farmington Hills, Mich.-North Farmington), Jennifer Bentley (London, Ontario-London), Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin), Chelsie Oddan (Calgary, Alberta-Central Memorial), and Megan Trapp (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton). Together, the talented group of seven has amassed a 39-29-7 overall record with a 25-14-2 mark in Mid-American Conference play during their EMU tenure. Registering a combined 17 goals and 20 assists, the veteran crew have totaled 54 points combined. Defensively, the group has posted 19 shutouts while boasting a 1.27 goals against average.
GREEN AND WHITE TAKE THREE POINTS ON THE ROAD: The Green and White split the final weekend of their four-game road trip, downing Ohio 3-1 before falling to Kent State. Junior Madison Hirsch (Troy, Mich.-Troy) lifted the Eagles to an early lead, hammering home a goal in the third minute before junior Michelle Rollins (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) tallied the game-winner in the 55th minute. Redshirt freshman Kristin Nason (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) added an insurance goal in the 76th minute to put the game away. Freshman Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka) earned her fourth win of the season in net, thanks to a seven-save effort.
FIGHT FOR THE POSTSEASON TAKES PLACE AT SCICLUNA: The Eagles close out the regular season against Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Bowling Green with all three matches taking place at Scicluna Field. With a 3-2-0 record at home this season, EMU hopes to add to their Mid-American Conference point total and vault into the postseason.
EAGLES WRAP UP FOUR-GAME ROAD TRIP WITH 1-2-1 MARK: With a 1-1-0 record this past weekend, the Eagles closed out their four-game road trip with a 1-2-1 record to bring their road record to 2-6-2 this season. More importantly than their record however, the Eagles claimed four crucial points in league play.
SCORING FIRST A KEY TO SUCCESS FOR EAGLES: With a 3-1 win over Ohio, Friday, Oct. 16, the Eagles improved to 4-0-1 when scoring the first goal of the match. On the flip side, the Green and White are 1-9-0 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.
PRESSURE IS ON THE EAGLES IN WEEK FIVE OF CONFERENCE PLAY: 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 2-5-1 in the league, Eastern Michigan has recorded seven points, putting them just outside the playoff picture. Ball State leads the points race with 21, while Western Michigan isn't far behind with 19. Tied atop the MAC East, Miami and Buffalo have 16 points each with Kent State on their heels with 15. Central Michigan sits in sixth with 13 points, followed by Ohio and Akron who are tied with nine. In ninth, the Eagles rank above Bowling Green, Toledo, and Northern Illinois.
SCOUTING REPORT: WESTERN MICHIGAN: Western Michigan travels to Scicluna Field with a three-game winning streak following wins over Akron, Mid-American Conference East Division leading Miami, and MAC West leader, Ball State. After posting back-to-back shutouts over the Zips and RedHawks, the Broncos handed Ball State their first conference loss of the season, 2-1, in Kalamazoo, Mich. With a 6-1-1 record in MAC play and 19 points, Western Michigan sits second in the standings.
The Broncos have five players with double-digit points, with Emma Kahn leading the way with 15. Kahn leads the team with seven goals this season. Irene Young follows Kahn closely, totaling 14 points with a team-best six assists on the year. Gina Maddi, Tiffany Buckler, and Olivia Vollmers have added 10 points each. While Maddi has consistently been in the starting eleven, Buckler and Vollmers have provided an impact off the bench giving the Broncos one of the most dynamic attacks in the conference. A key to success for the Broncos this season has been their ability to put set pieces in the back of the net. Western Michigan leads the MAC in corners per game, taking six trips to the corner flag per match in MAC play.
Western Michigan has surrendered just four goals in MAC play, behind the outstanding play of goalkeeper Stephanie Heber. With a MAC-best seven shutouts this season, Heber owns a 0.69 goals against average and a save percentage of .820. Five of the Broncons six MAC wins have come courtesy of Heber shutouts, thanks to a tenacious backline. In order to come away with points against the Broncos, the Eagles will need a top-notch match on both sides of the pitch.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN: Eastern Michigan leads a storied rivalry with Western Michigan, 11-10-4 in the all-time series but the Broncos have won matches when they count the most. Most recently, the Broncos stunned the Eagles 3-2 in double-overtime resulting in an early exit from the Mid-American Conference Tournament and an abrupt ending to the 2014 season. The Eagles will look to avenge last year's heartbreaking loss, Friday, as they continue their climb up the MAC standings when the teams square off for the 26th time.
SCOUTING REPORT: NORTHERN ILLINOIS: At 2-12-1 the Huskies enter week five of Mid-American Conference play on the heels of a scoreless draw with Miami. The 0-0 deadlock snapped a six-game losing streak in which Northern Illinois was outscored 21-6. Holding a 1-6-1 mark in MAC play, the Huskies have not been eliminated from postseason play but will have to post wins over Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, and Western Michigan to have a shot at postseason play.
Like the Eagles, the Huskies have been hampered by inconsistent goal production. NIU has scored a total of eight goals in conference play, while the Eagles have managed seven. Lauren Gierman and Nicole Gobbo have led the attack for Northern Illinois, combining for 10 of the team's 15 goals. Gierman leads the team with six goals on the year while Gobbo has four to her credit on a team-high 36 shots. With Gierman and Gobbo carrying 67 percent of the scoring load, just four other players have registered goals this season.
Northern Illinois has split time in goal between MacKenzie Lee and Amy Annala. While both keepers have posted a shutout this season, Annala has earned the nod as of late. Bouncing back from a 4-0 loss to Mid-American Conference leader, Ball State, Annala stood strong for 110 minutes against Western Michigan to lead the Huskies to a 0-0 draw. Annala tallied 17 saves over the weekend, moving her season total to a team-best 66. The sophomore keeper also leads the team in save percentage (.725) and minutes (962:52). Defensively, the Huskies have given up 14.5 shots per match in league play, forcing Annala to withstand constant pressure. The Eagles are 2-0-0 this season when firing off at least 14 shots.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS: The Eagles hold a 14-4-2 record over the Huskies, including a 8-2-1 mark over the past decade. Despite holding the overall edge in the series, Northern Illinois took last season's meeting, 3-1. The loss broke the Eagles' six-game win streak over the Huskies, dating back to the 2007 season. Sitting at the bottom of the Mid-American Conference standings, Northern Illinois will look to play spoiler at Scicluna Field, with the Eagles fighting to extend their season and earn a seed in the MAC Tournament.
SENIOR DAY CELEBRATION SET FOR SUNDAY: Sunday's match against Northern Illinois will feature a celebration of the careers of another strong senior class at Eastern Michigan. Seniors Megan McCabe (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect), Julia Lombardi (Oakville, Ontario-Queen Elizabeth Park), Hallee Kansman (Farmington Hills, Mich.-North Farmington), Jennifer Bentley (London, Ontario-London), Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin), Chelsie Oddan (Calgary, Alberta-Central Memorial), and Megan Trapp (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton). Together, the talented group of seven has amassed a 39-29-7 overall record with a 25-14-2 mark in Mid-American Conference play during their EMU tenure. Registering a combined 17 goals and 20 assists, the veteran crew have totaled 54 points combined. Defensively, the group has posted 19 shutouts while boasting a 1.27 goals against average.
GREEN AND WHITE TAKE THREE POINTS ON THE ROAD: The Green and White split the final weekend of their four-game road trip, downing Ohio 3-1 before falling to Kent State. Junior Madison Hirsch (Troy, Mich.-Troy) lifted the Eagles to an early lead, hammering home a goal in the third minute before junior Michelle Rollins (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) tallied the game-winner in the 55th minute. Redshirt freshman Kristin Nason (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) added an insurance goal in the 76th minute to put the game away. Freshman Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka) earned her fourth win of the season in net, thanks to a seven-save effort.
FIGHT FOR THE POSTSEASON TAKES PLACE AT SCICLUNA: The Eagles close out the regular season against Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Bowling Green with all three matches taking place at Scicluna Field. With a 3-2-0 record at home this season, EMU hopes to add to their Mid-American Conference point total and vault into the postseason.
EAGLES WRAP UP FOUR-GAME ROAD TRIP WITH 1-2-1 MARK: With a 1-1-0 record this past weekend, the Eagles closed out their four-game road trip with a 1-2-1 record to bring their road record to 2-6-2 this season. More importantly than their record however, the Eagles claimed four crucial points in league play.
SCORING FIRST A KEY TO SUCCESS FOR EAGLES: With a 3-1 win over Ohio, Friday, Oct. 16, the Eagles improved to 4-0-1 when scoring the first goal of the match. On the flip side, the Green and White are 1-9-0 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.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Players Mentioned
MF/D
/ Soccer
F/D
/ Soccer
MF/F
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
GK
/ Soccer
MF
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
MF
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
GK
/ SoccerCinematic Highlights: Eastern Soccer vs. Kent State
Monday, October 28
Cinematic Highlights: Soccer vs. Western Michigan
Monday, October 14
Cinematic Highlights: Eastern Soccer vs. Miami
Monday, October 07
Cinematic Highlights: Eastern Soccer vs. Toledo
Friday, September 27