Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
0-1
Michigan
1-0
EMU Soccer Falls to Michigan in Season Opener
8/21/2015 11:17:00 PM | Soccer
Madison Hirsch registered the Eagles' lone goal
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team opened the 2015 season with a showdown with Washtenaw County rival, University of Michigan, at U-M Soccer Stadium on Friday, Aug. 21. The Wolverines struck early, before junior Madison Hirsch scored the Eagles lone goal, as EMU fell 8-1.
Michigan's press in the opening minutes forced the Eagles out of their element, making it difficult for them to connect in transition. After senior Megan McCabe made the initial save, senior defender Hallee Kansman made another from the goal line before Michigan sent a third shot over the reach of McCabe, talking a 1-0 lead seven minutes into the match before adding another one minute later.
In the final five minutes of the half, the Eagles' midfielders created several scoring opportunities. The first came in the 42nd minute as redshirt-freshman Kristin Nason created enough space to drop a pass for senior Chelsie Oddan at the top of the box. Firing a one-timer, Oddan's shot was deflected before being corralled by the Wolverines goalkeeper.
Moments later after the Eagles threatened again, the Wolverines' goalkeeper's clear attempt found the feet of Nason just outside the box. Controlling the ball, Nason took a step towards goal and blasted a shot back into the hands of the keeper, sending the Eagles into halftime trailing by two.
Creating opportunities early, the Eagles found themselves trapped on their defensive half of the field for an extended stretch in the second half. With the Eagles defense struggling to clear the ball, Michigan's high-powered offense extended their lead to 7-nil in the 69th minute.
Countering a scoring chance by the Wolverines, the Eagles transitioned the ball up field. As the Green and White carried the ball towards goal, junior Stef Barcelos fought for a pass at the top of the box, getting fouled in the process. The foul gave the Eagles a free-kick five yards outside the box. Hirsch stepped to the ball to take the kick with a five-man wall standing between her and the goal. Hirsch ripped the ball around the wall and tucked it just beneath the crossbar, cutting the Eagles' deficit to six.
Michigan responded with a goal in the 82nd minute, before sending the Eagles home with an 8-1 defeat. The loss marks the first season-opening loss to Michigan in program history.
EMU returns to the pitch, Monday, Aug. 24, in Indianapolis for a bout with the Butler Bulldogs. The match is set to start at 7 p.m. at the Butler Bowl.
Team Stats
Haidar, Lulu (1)
loose ball in box
6:45
Timko, Taylor (1)
Assisted By: Haidar, Lulu
switch fields, lefty shot left side of 1
8:11
Sarkisian, Ani (1)
Assisted By: Murillo, Christina
header off free kick from left touch lin
53:26
Haidar, Lulu (2)
Assisted By: Soccorsi, Anna
volley out of air off cross from left to
55:20
Timko, Taylor (2)
Assisted By: Waldeck, Nicky , Heifetz, Jessica
played across mouth of goal tapped in at
61:18
Timko, Taylor (3)
Assisted By: Kastroll, Abby
played L-R across goal, tapped in at goa
66:18
Veerakone, Rubina (1)
Assisted By: Kastroll, Abby , Martin, Reilly
loose ball in 6yd box, tapped in from 3y
68:26
HIRSCH, MADISON (1)
off free kick, nicked the cross bar
80:24
Groffsky, Emma (1)
Assisted By: Martin, Reilly
through ball, beat keeper 1-on-1 low sho
81:54
