EMU Soccer Travels to the Windy City to Take Part in the Loyola Invitational

EMU READY TO TAKE PART IN LOYOLA INVITATIONAL: The Eagles will spend the weekend in Chicago, as one of four teams competing in the Loyola Invitational. With all games being played at the Loyola Soccer Complex, the Green and White will take on DePaul, Aug. 28, and Loyola, Aug. 30, with Saint Francis (PA) rounding out the teams participating.

EAGLES DROP TWO ON OPENING WEEKEND: Week two carries another opportunity for the Green and White to bounce back from a disappointing 0-2-0 mark on opening weekend. After conceding two goals in the opening 10 minutes, the Eagles were forced to press against a talented University of Michigan squad. The strategy led to several opportunities for the Eagles but junior Madison Hirsch was the lone Eagle to put away a shot as EMU fell, 8-1.
   The Eagles wrapped up their opening weekend in Indianapolis where they were blanked by the Butler Bulldogs, 3-0. Provided with countless scoring opportunities, including a penalty kick in the second half, the Eagles failed to find the back of the net.

SCOUTING REPORT: DePAUL: The No. 19 Blue Demons will take the pitch on Friday night on the heels of a 1-0-1 opening weekend in which they topped Cinicinnati. 2-1, and drew even with Utah, 0-0. With their defensive scheme serving as an anchor in the Blue Demons' game plan the Eagles will have their work cut out for them when breaking through the backline patrolled by a pair of veterans.
   Senior defender Sarah Gorden captains the backline while Alejandria Godinez stands post in goal for the third consecutive season. Gorden's on ball defending and ability to break up crosses garnered her Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors after DePaul's strong showing opening weekend. Boasting a career goals against average of 0.76, Godinez has proven to be a consistent force between the pipes.
   While defense has been a focal point through DePaul's first two matches, forwards Ana Greik and Elise Wyatt have provided the Blue Demons with goals. A senior forward for DePaul, Wyatt came into the season as the team's top goal scorer while Greik has shown drastic improvement from a season ago, earning a spot in the starting 11.
   In Friday night's match up, the Eagles will look to snap DePaul's 20 game regular-season undefeated streak. The Blue Demons' last loss came against St. John's during the 2013 season. In order to come away with a win and snap DePaul's steak, the Eagles will have to capitalize on opportunities and tighten up their defensive clearances.

SCOUTING REPORT: LOYOLA-CHICAGO: Like the Blue Demons, the Ramblers enter this weekend's Loyola Invitational at 1-0-1. After a thrilling season-opening 3-2 double-overtime victory over University North Carolina - Greensboro, Loyola played to a 0-0 draw with East Carolina. The Ramblers early season success has hinged on the play of their underclassmen.
   At striker, freshmen Claire Oberle and Jenna Szczesny have displayed quickness and strong boots. The more surprising attribute the young forwards possess is the vision and poise of an upperclassmen, leading to smart decision making and game winning goals late in double-overtime. Making their mark as members of the Ramblers, Oberle and Szczesny are key factors in Loyola's improvement from an injury plagued 2014 campaign.
   In goal, the Ramblers have used another pair of underclassmen to man the posts. Freshman Cassidy Lentz and sophomore Maddie Ford have split time in goal for the Ramblers in the early part of the season. Ford leads the team in save (12), goals against average (0.00), and save percentage (1.00) while holding a 0-0-1 record with one shutout in 110 minutes. In 105 minutes of play, Lentz has tallied seven saves while allowing two goals for a 1.73 goals against average. Despite a .778 save percentage, Lentz holds the upperhand with a 1-0-0 record. While the two will likely split time this weekend, Loyola's Friday night match up with Saint Francis (PA) could determine who the Eagles face in goal on Sunday.

EMU FORCED TO BECOME ROAD WARRIORS: With nine of their remaining 17 matches set to be played away from Scicluna Field, the Eagles will look to improve upon their 0-2-0 road record this weekend before closing out their season opening roadtrip against Illinois State. EMU's ability to win games on the road will be key to a strong finish in Mid-American conference play, beginning with a trip to Ball State, Sept. 25.

CUPP, DAVIS EARN MINUTES ON OPENING WEEKEND: Freshmen Mikayla Cupp and Peyton Davis were two of the first subs off the bench for the Eagles over opening weekend. Cupp eclipsed the 100 minute mark, playing quality minutes in the midfield. Not afraid of contact, Cupp appeared comfortable breaking up opponents' transitions and being a transition point for the Eagles. A forward, Davis provided fresh legs atop EMU's formation. The North Ridgeville, Ohio native fired one shot on frame in her action for the Green and White.

EAGLES LOOKING TO CAPITALIZE ON SET PIECES: Set pieces provided teams with an opportunity to turn the tides in their favor or build upon the momentum they already possess. With two matches under their belts, the Eagles have registered shot attempts on 6-of-9 set piece opportunities. Knocking on the doorstep repeatedly, EMU tallied one goal on the six shots.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

EMU Soccer Travels to the Windy City to Take Part in the Loyola Invitational

Players Mentioned

Mikayla Cupp

Peyton Davis

Madison Hirsch

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