Eastern Michigan Athletics

Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Nason Powers Eagles to Home Opening Win
9/6/2015 4:39:00 PM | Soccer
Kristin Nason registered two goals in the Eagles 3-1 win
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Playing on Scicluna Field for the first time in the 2015 season, the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team played through the heat and humidity to take down University of Illinois-Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 6 by a score of 3-1. Redshirt freshman Kristin Nason (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) registered two goals, including the game winner in the 18th minute to propel the Eagles to the home opening victory. Freshman goalkeeper Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka) finished the day with three saves.
Possessing from the opening touch, the Eagles played the ball back to junior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland). Recognizing the options in front of her, Washburn played a ball up and over the midfield and into the box. With the Flames' keeper leaving her line to attempt to corral Washburn's cross, Nason leaped in front of her. Getting her head on the ball before colliding with the keeper, Nason's header popped over the keeper and into the net, giving EMU a 1-nil lead three minutes into the match.
Following a series of opportunities for the Green and White, senior Megan Trapp (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton) played a cross in front of goal. With a UIC defender whiffing on the initial clearance, Nason headed in her second goal of the game to double Eastern Michigan's lead in the 18th minute.
With EMU holding a 2-nil advantage, the Flames pressed forward seeking their first goal of the game. After a few crosses and shots were handled by the Eagles, UIC's Emi Yamamoto controlled the ball 10-yards outside the box. Ripping a shot from deep, Yamamoto's shot hooked just inside the near-post to cut EMU's lead in half.
Leading 2-1 in the 33rd minute, Trapp switched fields to junior Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin). Firing a one-timer, Tillar's shot rocketed off the crossbar and dribbled outside the box. Beating out a Flames defender to the deflection, Trapp's heel flick allowed junior Madison Hirsch (Troy, Mich.-Troy) to deliver a ball back into the box but a whistle and collision ended the Eagles' threat.
Keeping the pressure on the Flames' defense, Tillar broke through the UIC backline. With room to work, Tillar dribbled down the sideline in front of the Eagles' bench towards the corner flag. As the UIC defense began to collapse around her, Tillar switched fields to senior Chelsie Oddan (Calgary, Alberta-Central Memorial). Settling the ball at the edge of the box, Oddan crossed her defender before crossing back towards goal and blasted a shot into the back of the net. Scoring her first goal of the season, the Calgary, Alberta product put the Eagles' in front 3-1 in the 41st minute.
From that point on, the teams played to a defensive stand still despite scoring chances on both ends. EMU rode out the two-goal lead to a 3-1 victory, their third consecutive win in its home opener.
The Eagles return to the pitch Thursday, Sept. 10, in Detroit, Mich. with a match against the Detroit Titans. The game is set for 3 p.m.
Possessing from the opening touch, the Eagles played the ball back to junior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland). Recognizing the options in front of her, Washburn played a ball up and over the midfield and into the box. With the Flames' keeper leaving her line to attempt to corral Washburn's cross, Nason leaped in front of her. Getting her head on the ball before colliding with the keeper, Nason's header popped over the keeper and into the net, giving EMU a 1-nil lead three minutes into the match.
Following a series of opportunities for the Green and White, senior Megan Trapp (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton) played a cross in front of goal. With a UIC defender whiffing on the initial clearance, Nason headed in her second goal of the game to double Eastern Michigan's lead in the 18th minute.
With EMU holding a 2-nil advantage, the Flames pressed forward seeking their first goal of the game. After a few crosses and shots were handled by the Eagles, UIC's Emi Yamamoto controlled the ball 10-yards outside the box. Ripping a shot from deep, Yamamoto's shot hooked just inside the near-post to cut EMU's lead in half.
Leading 2-1 in the 33rd minute, Trapp switched fields to junior Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin). Firing a one-timer, Tillar's shot rocketed off the crossbar and dribbled outside the box. Beating out a Flames defender to the deflection, Trapp's heel flick allowed junior Madison Hirsch (Troy, Mich.-Troy) to deliver a ball back into the box but a whistle and collision ended the Eagles' threat.
Keeping the pressure on the Flames' defense, Tillar broke through the UIC backline. With room to work, Tillar dribbled down the sideline in front of the Eagles' bench towards the corner flag. As the UIC defense began to collapse around her, Tillar switched fields to senior Chelsie Oddan (Calgary, Alberta-Central Memorial). Settling the ball at the edge of the box, Oddan crossed her defender before crossing back towards goal and blasted a shot into the back of the net. Scoring her first goal of the season, the Calgary, Alberta product put the Eagles' in front 3-1 in the 41st minute.
From that point on, the teams played to a defensive stand still despite scoring chances on both ends. EMU rode out the two-goal lead to a 3-1 victory, their third consecutive win in its home opener.
The Eagles return to the pitch Thursday, Sept. 10, in Detroit, Mich. with a match against the Detroit Titans. The game is set for 3 p.m.
Team Stats
UIC
EMU
Goals
1
3
Shots
9
13
Shots on Goal
4
7
Saves
4
3
Corners
5
2
Fouls
5
10
Scoring Plays

NASON, KRISTIN (3)
Assisted By: WASHBURN, RACHEL
wins header with keeper for goal
2:10

NASON, KRISTIN (4)
Assisted By: TRAPP, MEGAN
cross in from Trapp
17:02

YAMAMOTO, Emi
21 rips shot from deep, deflected and in
21:15

ODDAN, CHELSIE (1)
Assisted By: TILLAR, ELLIE
5 crosses back, crosses again, and rips
40:01
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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