Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, October 2
Scicluna Field
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Buffalo
Photo by: Ball State University Athletics
EMU Soccer Continues MAC Play at Home
9/30/2015 12:30:00 PM | Soccer
The Eagles will play host to Buffalo and Akron this weekend
| Complete Release (PDF) | Live Stats vs. Buffalo | Live Stats vs. Akron |
OPPONENT'S SET PIECES SERVE AS DAGGERS FOR THE EAGLES: Over the course of the 2015 season, the Eagles have struggled to defend opponents on free kicks and corners. In fact, EMU has allowed eight goals on set pieces this season. That total accounts for nearly 25 percent of the goals scored against the Green and White. The Eagles own a 1-5-0 mark when surrendering a set piece goal, adding two to the loss column this past weekend.
COMFORTS OF HOME: Playing on their home field this weekend, the Eagles have an opportunity to reach the .500 mark in conference play. Of EMU's three wins on the season, two of them have come at Scicluna Field. Under the direction of Head Coach Scott Hall, the Eagles are 85-38-23. The impressive mark gives the Green and White a .660 home winning percentage with Hall at the helm.
GREEN AND WHITE IN SEARCH OF CONSISTENTCY ON ATTACK: The Eagles 1-nil setback against Miami marked the fourth time the Green and White have been shutout this season. While the defense has improved tremendously since the start of the 2015 campaign the Eagles' offense has flat-lined as of late. EMU has fired off 49 shots over the past three games however, only 15 have been on frame with three finding the back of the net. Eastern Michigan's bright spot on the attacking end has come courtesy of set pieces. Serving as the Eagles go-to on corners and free kicks, junior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) has served up subperb deliveries into the 18. Over the past three games, the Eagles have registered seven shots on goal off of 18 corner kicks. Redshirt freshman Kristin Nason (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) has been bottled up at forward while the Eagles' veteran midfielders have struggled to put shots on goal. The EMU strikers will have to get creative this weekend and give themselves a chance to score by forcing the opposing goalkeepers to make a play.
SCOUTING REPORT: BUFFALO: The Bulls enter Friday's late afternoon showdown with the Eagles on the heels of a 1-1-0 showing on the opening weekend of league play. Buffalo was blanked 1-0 by Ohio, Friday, Sept. 25 before responding with a 1-0 defeat of Kent State, Sunday, Sept. 27 to move their record to 5-4-1 on the season.
The 2014 Mid-American Conference Champions have had an up and down start to the 2015 slate evident by their 3-3-1 mark in the month of September. Sophomore Julia Benati has led the attack for the Bulls, leading the team with three goals while adding an assist to her stat line. As a team, Buffalo has rattled off 134 shots this season for an average of 13.4 shots per game. The quick fire offense of the Bulls will test the Eagles' backline often in Friday's match.
In goal, sophomore Laura Dougall has earned the start in all 10 games for Buffalo. Playing every minute between the pipes, Dougall has posted five shutouts while boasting a 0.76 goals against averageand .871 save percentage.
SERIES ALL-TIME AGAINST BUFFALO: The Bulls took last season's meeting 2-0 but the Eagles lead the all-time series 10-5-5. The five ties mark the most against any opponent in program history for the Eagles. EMU's last win over Buffalo came in the 2012 season, when the Green and White escaped Buffalo, N.Y. with a 1-nil decision.
SCOUTING REPORT: AKRON: Following a 1-1 weekend with home matches against Kent State and Ohio, the Zips will travel to Scicluna Field after a Friday night bout with Bowling Green. Akron dropped its MAC-opener to Kent State, 3-1, but handled Ohio 2-0 to finish the weekend at level pegging. The Zips' win over the Bobcats, ended a five-game losing streak in which Akron was outscored 12-2.
Senior Katie George and junior Sarah Sivic have scored four goals each to fuel the Zips' strikers. The duo has combined for 57 percent of Akron's goals this season. More than a dynamic striker, Sivic is also tied atop the team ranks with three assists while ranking first on the team in points with 11.
Defensively, junior Annabelle Hegeman has taken control of the starting spot in goal for Akron. Starting nine of the Zips' 10 matches, Hegeman owns a 1.20 goals against average with 31 saves and two clean sheets.
SERIES ALL-TIME AGAINST AKRON: The Eagles hold a 9-3-2 edge over Akron in the all-time series despite taking a 2-1 defeat in 2014. The home team has won four of the last five meetings between the Eagles and the Zips. Eastern Michigan has notched back-to-back wins over Akron at Scicluna Field and will look to make it three straight in Sunday's afternoon tilt.
TOUGH OPEN TO THE MAC SLATE: It's safe to say the Eagles drew the short straw when it came to the opening weekend of Mid-American Conference play. The Green and White started conference play with matches against the top two defenses in the league, who were also tabbed as preseason favorites in their respective divisions. The Eagles continue a grueling start to the MAC season against 2014 MAC Champion and 2014 NCAA Tournament participant, Buffalo at home.
CENTER BACKS SHOW VERSALITY IN LOSS TO BALL STATE: The defensive four of the Eagles has proven to be one of their greatest assets on the offensive end of the pitch this season. That was no different in EMU's, 2-1, loss to Ball State, Friday, Sept. 27. Junior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) has served as the Eagles' general on set pieces, taking a majority of EMU's corners and free kicks. In the 40th minute against the Cardinals, Washburn delivered a cross into the box. The high soaring boot connected with redshirt senior Hallee Kansman (Farmington Hills, Mich.-North Farmington), evening the score at one. The center back duo teamed up for the Eagles' lone goal of the match as Washburn collected her fourth assist of the season and Kansman registered her first goal of senior season. Ranking first and second on the team in minutes played this season, Washburn and Kansman have been crucial pieces to the Eagles' success on both ends of the pitch.
WASHBURN EXCELLING IN NEW ROLE: Coming into her junior season, Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) had spent a combined 1,235 minutes on the pitch. In 2015, Washburn has started every match at center back, playing in all 920 minutes this season. A tenacious defender, Washburn has doubled her career assist total through the team's first 10 games. With one as a freshman and three as a sophomore, the Hartland, Mich. product has totaled a career-best four assists this season to bring her career total to eight.
OFFENSE SPUTTERS AS EAGLES ARE SPURNED BY MIAMI: Eastern Michigan was shutout for the fourth time this season, Sunday, Sept. 27, dropping a 1-nil decision to the Redhawks. Miami's header off a corner kick with three seconds left in the first half proved to be the difference maker as the Green and White fell for the second time in as many games. The loss marked the first defeat on their home field this season for the Eagles.
COMFORTS OF HOME: Playing on their home field this weekend, the Eagles have an opportunity to reach the .500 mark in conference play. Of EMU's three wins on the season, two of them have come at Scicluna Field. Under the direction of Head Coach Scott Hall, the Eagles are 85-38-23. The impressive mark gives the Green and White a .660 home winning percentage with Hall at the helm.
GREEN AND WHITE IN SEARCH OF CONSISTENTCY ON ATTACK: The Eagles 1-nil setback against Miami marked the fourth time the Green and White have been shutout this season. While the defense has improved tremendously since the start of the 2015 campaign the Eagles' offense has flat-lined as of late. EMU has fired off 49 shots over the past three games however, only 15 have been on frame with three finding the back of the net. Eastern Michigan's bright spot on the attacking end has come courtesy of set pieces. Serving as the Eagles go-to on corners and free kicks, junior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) has served up subperb deliveries into the 18. Over the past three games, the Eagles have registered seven shots on goal off of 18 corner kicks. Redshirt freshman Kristin Nason (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) has been bottled up at forward while the Eagles' veteran midfielders have struggled to put shots on goal. The EMU strikers will have to get creative this weekend and give themselves a chance to score by forcing the opposing goalkeepers to make a play.
SCOUTING REPORT: BUFFALO: The Bulls enter Friday's late afternoon showdown with the Eagles on the heels of a 1-1-0 showing on the opening weekend of league play. Buffalo was blanked 1-0 by Ohio, Friday, Sept. 25 before responding with a 1-0 defeat of Kent State, Sunday, Sept. 27 to move their record to 5-4-1 on the season.
The 2014 Mid-American Conference Champions have had an up and down start to the 2015 slate evident by their 3-3-1 mark in the month of September. Sophomore Julia Benati has led the attack for the Bulls, leading the team with three goals while adding an assist to her stat line. As a team, Buffalo has rattled off 134 shots this season for an average of 13.4 shots per game. The quick fire offense of the Bulls will test the Eagles' backline often in Friday's match.
In goal, sophomore Laura Dougall has earned the start in all 10 games for Buffalo. Playing every minute between the pipes, Dougall has posted five shutouts while boasting a 0.76 goals against averageand .871 save percentage.
SERIES ALL-TIME AGAINST BUFFALO: The Bulls took last season's meeting 2-0 but the Eagles lead the all-time series 10-5-5. The five ties mark the most against any opponent in program history for the Eagles. EMU's last win over Buffalo came in the 2012 season, when the Green and White escaped Buffalo, N.Y. with a 1-nil decision.
SCOUTING REPORT: AKRON: Following a 1-1 weekend with home matches against Kent State and Ohio, the Zips will travel to Scicluna Field after a Friday night bout with Bowling Green. Akron dropped its MAC-opener to Kent State, 3-1, but handled Ohio 2-0 to finish the weekend at level pegging. The Zips' win over the Bobcats, ended a five-game losing streak in which Akron was outscored 12-2.
Senior Katie George and junior Sarah Sivic have scored four goals each to fuel the Zips' strikers. The duo has combined for 57 percent of Akron's goals this season. More than a dynamic striker, Sivic is also tied atop the team ranks with three assists while ranking first on the team in points with 11.
Defensively, junior Annabelle Hegeman has taken control of the starting spot in goal for Akron. Starting nine of the Zips' 10 matches, Hegeman owns a 1.20 goals against average with 31 saves and two clean sheets.
SERIES ALL-TIME AGAINST AKRON: The Eagles hold a 9-3-2 edge over Akron in the all-time series despite taking a 2-1 defeat in 2014. The home team has won four of the last five meetings between the Eagles and the Zips. Eastern Michigan has notched back-to-back wins over Akron at Scicluna Field and will look to make it three straight in Sunday's afternoon tilt.
TOUGH OPEN TO THE MAC SLATE: It's safe to say the Eagles drew the short straw when it came to the opening weekend of Mid-American Conference play. The Green and White started conference play with matches against the top two defenses in the league, who were also tabbed as preseason favorites in their respective divisions. The Eagles continue a grueling start to the MAC season against 2014 MAC Champion and 2014 NCAA Tournament participant, Buffalo at home.
CENTER BACKS SHOW VERSALITY IN LOSS TO BALL STATE: The defensive four of the Eagles has proven to be one of their greatest assets on the offensive end of the pitch this season. That was no different in EMU's, 2-1, loss to Ball State, Friday, Sept. 27. Junior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) has served as the Eagles' general on set pieces, taking a majority of EMU's corners and free kicks. In the 40th minute against the Cardinals, Washburn delivered a cross into the box. The high soaring boot connected with redshirt senior Hallee Kansman (Farmington Hills, Mich.-North Farmington), evening the score at one. The center back duo teamed up for the Eagles' lone goal of the match as Washburn collected her fourth assist of the season and Kansman registered her first goal of senior season. Ranking first and second on the team in minutes played this season, Washburn and Kansman have been crucial pieces to the Eagles' success on both ends of the pitch.
WASHBURN EXCELLING IN NEW ROLE: Coming into her junior season, Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) had spent a combined 1,235 minutes on the pitch. In 2015, Washburn has started every match at center back, playing in all 920 minutes this season. A tenacious defender, Washburn has doubled her career assist total through the team's first 10 games. With one as a freshman and three as a sophomore, the Hartland, Mich. product has totaled a career-best four assists this season to bring her career total to eight.
OFFENSE SPUTTERS AS EAGLES ARE SPURNED BY MIAMI: Eastern Michigan was shutout for the fourth time this season, Sunday, Sept. 27, dropping a 1-nil decision to the Redhawks. Miami's header off a corner kick with three seconds left in the first half proved to be the difference maker as the Green and White fell for the second time in as many games. The loss marked the first defeat on their home field this season for the Eagles.
Players Mentioned
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