Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, August 16
Scicluna Field
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
5
vs
1
Oakland (Exhibition)
EMU Soccer Tops Oakland, 5-1, in Exhibition Match
8/16/2015 4:49:00 PM | Soccer
Four different players scored in the Eagles victory
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Heading into Sunday's exhibition match with Oakland University, plenty of questions surrounded the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team's offensive production. With the final whistle sealing a 5-1 victory over the Golden Grizzlies, the Eagles showcased a balanced offensive game and an aggressively dominant defensive game.
After shaking off the nerves, the Eagles young attack rallied around the play of a veteran midfield. Senior Megan Trapp led red-shirt freshman Kristin Nason on a run towards goal, kick starting EMU's scoring opportunity. With a quick cut back, Nason eluded her defender and fired a shot into the back of the net, giving the Eagles a 1-nil lead in the 12th minute.
Nearly 10 minutes later, Oakland's attack looked to even the score. Working the ball up field, an Oakland midfielder delivered a cross into the box but sophomore defender Chanel Vani broke up the play, ending Oakland's threat.
The Eagles cleared the ball and pushed up field, creating countless opportunities for the attack. With shots flying high and wide of goal the score held steady at 1-nil before Nason dribbled in the box and slipped a shot past the keeper in the 26th minute.
Returning to the pitch in the second half with a two goal lead, the Eagles blew the game open. In the 54th minute, junior Michelle Rollins' cross found freshman Peyton Davis for the goal.
Keeping the momentum with the Green and White, junior Ellie Tillar sent delivered a ball into the box. Leaping above the Oakland defense, junior Madison Hirsch's quick flick of the head extended EMU's lead to 4-nil.
With the defense tandem of junior Rachel Washburn and senior Hallee Kansman shutting down the Golden Grizzlies' attack, Oakland's lone goal came in the 67th minute. With plenty of commotion in front of the goal following an Oakland corner, a deflected clear attempt cut EMU's lead to 4-1.
Despite the miscue, a solid effort led by the defensive duo of Washburn and Kansman was a high point for Head Coach Scott Hall.
"The decision making of Rachel and Hallee was very good today," Hall said. "They really started the process of the offensive attack. They don't necessarily get all of the hoopla, but both of them were instrumental in starting a lot of the stuff we had going today."
Responding from the miscue, the Eagles pushed their lead back to four moments later when Nason led Rollins on a run towards goal. Breaking through the Oakland back line, Rollins buried a shot in the back of the net, putting the Eagles in front 5-1.
Over the final 22 minutes, the Eagles defense kept the Oakland forwards in check while the Green and White midfielders' aggressiveness created opportunities for the forwards. The total team effort sealed a 5-1 victory for EMU over Oakland, their first win over the Golden Grizzlies since the 2006 season.
"We're enjoying the win today but tomorrow we get right back to work," Hall said. "If we play the way we can play, that's what we can control. That's part of the process for us now is just controlling what we can do and seeing what Michigan brings at us."
The Eagles will look to carry the momentum from Sunday's match into their season opener against the University of Michigan Friday, Aug. 21 at U-M Stadium. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
After shaking off the nerves, the Eagles young attack rallied around the play of a veteran midfield. Senior Megan Trapp led red-shirt freshman Kristin Nason on a run towards goal, kick starting EMU's scoring opportunity. With a quick cut back, Nason eluded her defender and fired a shot into the back of the net, giving the Eagles a 1-nil lead in the 12th minute.
Nearly 10 minutes later, Oakland's attack looked to even the score. Working the ball up field, an Oakland midfielder delivered a cross into the box but sophomore defender Chanel Vani broke up the play, ending Oakland's threat.
The Eagles cleared the ball and pushed up field, creating countless opportunities for the attack. With shots flying high and wide of goal the score held steady at 1-nil before Nason dribbled in the box and slipped a shot past the keeper in the 26th minute.
Returning to the pitch in the second half with a two goal lead, the Eagles blew the game open. In the 54th minute, junior Michelle Rollins' cross found freshman Peyton Davis for the goal.
Keeping the momentum with the Green and White, junior Ellie Tillar sent delivered a ball into the box. Leaping above the Oakland defense, junior Madison Hirsch's quick flick of the head extended EMU's lead to 4-nil.
With the defense tandem of junior Rachel Washburn and senior Hallee Kansman shutting down the Golden Grizzlies' attack, Oakland's lone goal came in the 67th minute. With plenty of commotion in front of the goal following an Oakland corner, a deflected clear attempt cut EMU's lead to 4-1.
Despite the miscue, a solid effort led by the defensive duo of Washburn and Kansman was a high point for Head Coach Scott Hall.
"The decision making of Rachel and Hallee was very good today," Hall said. "They really started the process of the offensive attack. They don't necessarily get all of the hoopla, but both of them were instrumental in starting a lot of the stuff we had going today."
Responding from the miscue, the Eagles pushed their lead back to four moments later when Nason led Rollins on a run towards goal. Breaking through the Oakland back line, Rollins buried a shot in the back of the net, putting the Eagles in front 5-1.
Over the final 22 minutes, the Eagles defense kept the Oakland forwards in check while the Green and White midfielders' aggressiveness created opportunities for the forwards. The total team effort sealed a 5-1 victory for EMU over Oakland, their first win over the Golden Grizzlies since the 2006 season.
"We're enjoying the win today but tomorrow we get right back to work," Hall said. "If we play the way we can play, that's what we can control. That's part of the process for us now is just controlling what we can do and seeing what Michigan brings at us."
The Eagles will look to carry the momentum from Sunday's match into their season opener against the University of Michigan Friday, Aug. 21 at U-M Stadium. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Soccer
F/D
/ Soccer
MF/F
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
MF
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
D
/ 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