Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, September 25
Muncie, Ind.
5 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Ball State
Eagles Ready to Open MAC Play
9/23/2015 11:21:00 AM | Soccer
EMU Soccer Opens Mid-American Conference Play Against Ball State and Miami
| Complete Release (PDF) | Live Stats vs. Ball State | Live Stream vs. Ball State | Live Stats vs. Miami |
TIME FOR SOME #MACTION: Friday's bout with Ball State marks the beginning of Mid-American Conference play for Eastern Michigan.The Eagles are 7-1-2 in MAC openers since 2005, with three consecutive conference-opening wins heading into Friday's match. The Green and White have performed well in the MAC in recent years, winning back-to-back MAC West Division titles. Their quest for a third division title begins with a tough road contest against preseason favorite, Ball State, before hosting Miami (OH). Opening up MAC play, the Eagles will dive into the conference season by squaring off against the top two defenses in the league.
SCOUTING REPORT: BALL STATE UNIVERSITY: Ball State closed out non-conference play with a 3-1 win over Morehead State, Sunday, Sept. 20. Facing a 1-nil deficit after Morehead State capitalized on a penalty kick in the 68th minute, the Cardinals scored three unanswered goals (70', 85', 87') to upend the Eagles, 3-1.
After being voted the co-MAC West Division preseason favorite, Ball State begins conference play by welcoming the Eagles to Muncie, Ind. With a 4-2-2 mark on the year, Ball State's two losses have been the result of a shutout. Abigail Boswell and Gabby Veldman have registered three goals each to lead a balanced attacking cohort for the Cardinals. Nine different players have found the back of the net for Ball State, compared to five for Eastern Michigan. Scoring three goals in the first eight matches of 2015, Veldman is well on her way to last year's team-high four goal campaign. Meanwhile, Boswell has impressed in her first collegiate season while proving to be a consistent threat at striker. The Eagles back four will have their work cut out for them with the Cardinals' offensive system that has fired off 155 shots so far this season but, as they have shown lately their ability to force turnovers or poor shots can result in great counter opportunities for the Green and White strikers.
Defensively, Ball State has posted two shutouts behind sophomore goalkeeper Alyssa Heintschel. Securing a team-best 22 saves, Heintschel boasts a .759 save percentage and 0.85 goals against average. Teams have managed only 61 shots against the Ball State defense this season, making set piece execution crucial.
ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST BALL STATE: EMU leads the series 9-5-2 against Ball State, winning last season's match-up in epic fashion. Ball State held the lead early as Gabby Veldman scored off of a cross into the box in the seventh minute but the Eagles' netted the equalizer in the 35th minute. The two teams battled for the remaining 55 minutes with defenses holding steady to force overtime. Tied at one, Martha Stevens fed Bianca Rossi on a 2-on-1 for the game-winner in the 94th minute. The Eagles escaped with a 2-1 win despite Ball State holding advantages in shots (23-11) and corner kicks (7-0).
SCOUTING REPORT: MIAMI: After three consecutive losses in the early part of the season, Miami has rebounded with back-to-back wins to concluded non-conference play with a 4-3-0 record. Coming off of wins over Rice and Florida Gulf Coast, the Redhawks will take on Bowling Green University before traveling to Scicluna Field for a tilt with the Eagles.
The defensive play for the Redhawks has been a key factor in their four wins so far this year. Allowing no more than two goals in a game and posting shutouts in each of their four wins, the defense has kept Miami in tight contests while they continue to search for consistent scoring. Vic Maniaci has led the defensive charge, playing a team-high 585 minutes in goal with two three shutouts under her belt. Manaici combined with Patricia Koutloulas in the team's fourth shutout. Owning a 4-3-0 record and earning the decision in every match, Maniaci has 36 saves to go along with a 0.77 goals against average and .878 save percentage.
Kat Zalar has shouldered a majority of the Redhawks' scoring load through the non-conference slate. Zalar scored three goals, highlighted by one game winner, while the rest of the team has combined for six goals and two game-winners through seven matches.
ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST MIAMI: After winning last season's bout, 2-0, to start conference play, the Eagles own a 11-10-1 all-time record against long-time conference foe, Miami (OH). Junior Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin) scored the game-winner to lead the Eagles to the blanking of the Redhawks in Oxford, Ohio.
EAGLES TAKE DOWN GREEN BAY IN NON-CONFERENCE FINALE: EMU moved to 3-0-0 against Green Bay over the past two decades, but the 2-1 win was far from easy. Green Bay executed a set piece opportunity in the 21st minute, bending a free kick around the wall and inside the far post to take an early lead. Despite a substantial advantage in shots (29-8), the Eagles used a penalty kick goal by senior Julia Lombardi (Oakville, Ontario-Queen Elizabeth) in the 27th minute and a late goal by redshirt freshman Kristin Nason (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) to complete the comeback, taking the match 2-1.
Lombardi's goal was the first of her career while Nason netted her team-best fifth goal of the season. Senior Megan McCabe (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect) collected three saves on her way to her first win of the season. With the victory, EMU concludes non-conference play with a 3-4-1 mark.
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF EMU SOCCER: The 2015 campaign marks the 20th season of women's soccer at Eastern Michigan. In celebration of the two decades of play, EMU will welcome alumnae back to the pitch when the Eagles host Miami (OH) in Mid-American Conference play, Sunday, Sept. 27. Alumnae will be recognized and welcomed back with a halftime ceremony to celebrate the storied history of EMU women's soccer.
The celebration comes one week after Tracy Deeter and Paul Scicluna were inducted into the E Club Hall of Fame. During her time sporting the Green and White, Deeter led the Eagles to a 1999 Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship with a 10-1-3 conference record (17-4-3 overall) while also helping EMU claim the MAC Tournament Title. An All-Tournament Team selection in 1999, Deeter was two-time First Team All-MAC and a two-time All-Great Lakes Region selection. She became the first player in program history to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-American ans well as a College Scholar All-American in 2000. In addition to her academic accolades, Deeter was named MAC Player of the Year following her impressive senior season.
Paul Scicluna was the first head coach of the EMU women's soccer program after it was started in 1994. He led the team to a 38-32-2 record during his tenure, including an 11-5-2 mark in Mid-American Conference play in 1997 and 1998 before his tragic passing in 1999. Since then, the Eagles' home pitch has been named in his memory - Paul Scicluna Field.
ODDAN REFRESHED AND REFOCUSED WITH MAC SEASON ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles' early season break may have benefited redshirt senior Chelsie Oddan (Calgary, Alberta-Central Memorial). The sixth-year senior returned to pitch Sunday, Sept. 20, with fresh legs and a clear mindset, in EMU's 2-1 win. Battling through injuries over the course of her career, Oddan was the best player on the pitch for the Eagles on Sunday. With crisp passes, strong runs, top-notch touches, and excellent field vision, Oddan turned in her best performance of the season. While her name didn't appear on the stat sheet in the Eagles' victory, the Calgary, Alberta product's play led to both goals for EMU. Oddan's play in the midfield both defensively and offensively is a critical piece of the puzzle for the success of this year's squad, making her ability to consistently turn in performances like Sunday pivotal as the Green and White open MAC play.
EAGLES FIRE OFF SEASON-HIGH 29 SHOTS: The Eagles held a 29-8 shot advantage over Green Bay in the final non-conference match on the 2015 slate, Sunday, Sept. 20. Coming into the match the Green and White had registered 52 shots through seven matches before Sunday's offensive eruption. The shot total marks the most by EMU since Oct. 10, 2010 when the Eagles drew even, 2-2, with Toledo after tallying 33 shots.
SCOUTING REPORT: BALL STATE UNIVERSITY: Ball State closed out non-conference play with a 3-1 win over Morehead State, Sunday, Sept. 20. Facing a 1-nil deficit after Morehead State capitalized on a penalty kick in the 68th minute, the Cardinals scored three unanswered goals (70', 85', 87') to upend the Eagles, 3-1.
After being voted the co-MAC West Division preseason favorite, Ball State begins conference play by welcoming the Eagles to Muncie, Ind. With a 4-2-2 mark on the year, Ball State's two losses have been the result of a shutout. Abigail Boswell and Gabby Veldman have registered three goals each to lead a balanced attacking cohort for the Cardinals. Nine different players have found the back of the net for Ball State, compared to five for Eastern Michigan. Scoring three goals in the first eight matches of 2015, Veldman is well on her way to last year's team-high four goal campaign. Meanwhile, Boswell has impressed in her first collegiate season while proving to be a consistent threat at striker. The Eagles back four will have their work cut out for them with the Cardinals' offensive system that has fired off 155 shots so far this season but, as they have shown lately their ability to force turnovers or poor shots can result in great counter opportunities for the Green and White strikers.
Defensively, Ball State has posted two shutouts behind sophomore goalkeeper Alyssa Heintschel. Securing a team-best 22 saves, Heintschel boasts a .759 save percentage and 0.85 goals against average. Teams have managed only 61 shots against the Ball State defense this season, making set piece execution crucial.
ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST BALL STATE: EMU leads the series 9-5-2 against Ball State, winning last season's match-up in epic fashion. Ball State held the lead early as Gabby Veldman scored off of a cross into the box in the seventh minute but the Eagles' netted the equalizer in the 35th minute. The two teams battled for the remaining 55 minutes with defenses holding steady to force overtime. Tied at one, Martha Stevens fed Bianca Rossi on a 2-on-1 for the game-winner in the 94th minute. The Eagles escaped with a 2-1 win despite Ball State holding advantages in shots (23-11) and corner kicks (7-0).
SCOUTING REPORT: MIAMI: After three consecutive losses in the early part of the season, Miami has rebounded with back-to-back wins to concluded non-conference play with a 4-3-0 record. Coming off of wins over Rice and Florida Gulf Coast, the Redhawks will take on Bowling Green University before traveling to Scicluna Field for a tilt with the Eagles.
The defensive play for the Redhawks has been a key factor in their four wins so far this year. Allowing no more than two goals in a game and posting shutouts in each of their four wins, the defense has kept Miami in tight contests while they continue to search for consistent scoring. Vic Maniaci has led the defensive charge, playing a team-high 585 minutes in goal with two three shutouts under her belt. Manaici combined with Patricia Koutloulas in the team's fourth shutout. Owning a 4-3-0 record and earning the decision in every match, Maniaci has 36 saves to go along with a 0.77 goals against average and .878 save percentage.
Kat Zalar has shouldered a majority of the Redhawks' scoring load through the non-conference slate. Zalar scored three goals, highlighted by one game winner, while the rest of the team has combined for six goals and two game-winners through seven matches.
ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST MIAMI: After winning last season's bout, 2-0, to start conference play, the Eagles own a 11-10-1 all-time record against long-time conference foe, Miami (OH). Junior Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin) scored the game-winner to lead the Eagles to the blanking of the Redhawks in Oxford, Ohio.
EAGLES TAKE DOWN GREEN BAY IN NON-CONFERENCE FINALE: EMU moved to 3-0-0 against Green Bay over the past two decades, but the 2-1 win was far from easy. Green Bay executed a set piece opportunity in the 21st minute, bending a free kick around the wall and inside the far post to take an early lead. Despite a substantial advantage in shots (29-8), the Eagles used a penalty kick goal by senior Julia Lombardi (Oakville, Ontario-Queen Elizabeth) in the 27th minute and a late goal by redshirt freshman Kristin Nason (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) to complete the comeback, taking the match 2-1.
Lombardi's goal was the first of her career while Nason netted her team-best fifth goal of the season. Senior Megan McCabe (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Prospect) collected three saves on her way to her first win of the season. With the victory, EMU concludes non-conference play with a 3-4-1 mark.
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF EMU SOCCER: The 2015 campaign marks the 20th season of women's soccer at Eastern Michigan. In celebration of the two decades of play, EMU will welcome alumnae back to the pitch when the Eagles host Miami (OH) in Mid-American Conference play, Sunday, Sept. 27. Alumnae will be recognized and welcomed back with a halftime ceremony to celebrate the storied history of EMU women's soccer.
The celebration comes one week after Tracy Deeter and Paul Scicluna were inducted into the E Club Hall of Fame. During her time sporting the Green and White, Deeter led the Eagles to a 1999 Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship with a 10-1-3 conference record (17-4-3 overall) while also helping EMU claim the MAC Tournament Title. An All-Tournament Team selection in 1999, Deeter was two-time First Team All-MAC and a two-time All-Great Lakes Region selection. She became the first player in program history to be named a CoSIDA Academic All-American ans well as a College Scholar All-American in 2000. In addition to her academic accolades, Deeter was named MAC Player of the Year following her impressive senior season.
Paul Scicluna was the first head coach of the EMU women's soccer program after it was started in 1994. He led the team to a 38-32-2 record during his tenure, including an 11-5-2 mark in Mid-American Conference play in 1997 and 1998 before his tragic passing in 1999. Since then, the Eagles' home pitch has been named in his memory - Paul Scicluna Field.
ODDAN REFRESHED AND REFOCUSED WITH MAC SEASON ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles' early season break may have benefited redshirt senior Chelsie Oddan (Calgary, Alberta-Central Memorial). The sixth-year senior returned to pitch Sunday, Sept. 20, with fresh legs and a clear mindset, in EMU's 2-1 win. Battling through injuries over the course of her career, Oddan was the best player on the pitch for the Eagles on Sunday. With crisp passes, strong runs, top-notch touches, and excellent field vision, Oddan turned in her best performance of the season. While her name didn't appear on the stat sheet in the Eagles' victory, the Calgary, Alberta product's play led to both goals for EMU. Oddan's play in the midfield both defensively and offensively is a critical piece of the puzzle for the success of this year's squad, making her ability to consistently turn in performances like Sunday pivotal as the Green and White open MAC play.
EAGLES FIRE OFF SEASON-HIGH 29 SHOTS: The Eagles held a 29-8 shot advantage over Green Bay in the final non-conference match on the 2015 slate, Sunday, Sept. 20. Coming into the match the Green and White had registered 52 shots through seven matches before Sunday's offensive eruption. The shot total marks the most by EMU since Oct. 10, 2010 when the Eagles drew even, 2-2, with Toledo after tallying 33 shots.
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