Eagles Hit the Road for Final Weekend of MAC Play

Soccer at Buffalo \| at Akron
Date	Thursday, Oct. 20 - 7 p.m. \| Sunday, Oct. 23 - 1 p.m.
Location	Buffalo, N.Y. - UB Stadium \| Akron, Ohio - FirstEnergy Stadium
Game Notes	EMU Notes
Live Stats	vs. Buffalo \| vs. Akron
Live Stream	vs. Buffalo \| vs. Akron
Twitter	@EMUSoccer \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team hits the road for the final weekend of Mid-American Conference play, Oct. 20-23. The Eagles trek east for a meeting with the University at Buffalo, Thursday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., before traveling to Akron, Ohio for a tilt with the Zips of the University of Akron, Sunday, Oct. 23, at 1 p.m.
   Fans can follow live stats for the matches on EMUEagles.com, or tune in for in-game updates on the team's Twitter, @EMUSoccer. Additionally, both matches will be streamed through links found onf the EMUEagles.com schedule page. The stream against Buffalo is free, while UA's stream requires a subscription.

KEEPIN' IT CLEAN: In her second season between the pipes for the Eagles, sophomore goalkeeper Kaylin Williams has been rock solid. Most recently, the Kansas City, Mo. product posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time in her career, Oct. 14-16. After securing a 2-nil win over Ohio for the Eagles, Oct. 14, Williams withstood the pressure of Kent State's potent offense en route to a scoreless draw. With the 0-0 tie, Williams became just the second goalkeeper this season to hold the Golden Flashes without a goal, and the first Mid-American Conference keeper to do so. Credited with four shutouts this season, Williams' career total now sits at six.

WILLIAMS NAMED MAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: After posting a pair of shutouts and leading the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team to a 1-0-1 record over the weekend, sophomore goalkeeper Kaylin Williams was named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Oct. 18. The league office's announcement marks the first time an Eagle has been honored this season, and is Williams' first league award of her career.
   Williams became the first Eagle named MAC Player of the Week since Kristin Nason did so Sept. 8, 2015. The Kansas City, Mo. product is the first goalkeeper to be honored by the conference since Megan McCabe was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week, Oct. 13, 2014.

DEFENSE LEADS TO OFFENSE: Despite being outshot, 11-9, by Ohio, Oct. 14, the Eagles pulled out a win thanks in large part to the contributions of the defense. Sophomore keeper Kaylin Williams was fantastic in goal, fending off all 11 shots in a three-save effort, while a pair of center backs provided the offensive production. Senior Rachel Washburn tucked a free kick inside the far post for the first goal of her career just over a minute into the match, while senior Stef Barcelos' penalty kick in the 37th minute pushed Eastern's lead to 2-0. The match marked the first time since Sept. 21, 2014 that two center backs netted goals for the Green and White.

NO GOAL PATROL: EMU's defense, made up of Rachel Washburn, Jen Bentley, Chanel Vani, and Stef Barcelos shut down Ohio and Kent State over the weekend, Oct. 14-16, holding both squads without a goal through 200 minutes of play. Sophomore goalkeeper Kaylin Williams recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time in her career, while the Eagles posted back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since Oct. 28-30, 2014.

MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: After opening league play 0-4-0, Eastern Michigan pushed its unbeaten streak to four games over the weekend, Oct. 14-16, with a win over Ohio (2-0) and a double overtime draw against Kent State (0-0). The streak is EMU's longest unbeaten run since the Eagles won four consecutive games, Sept. 7-28, 2014.

BULLS BREAKDOWN: Buffalo welcomes the Eagles to UB Stadium, Oct. 20, after posting a 0-1-1 record over the weekend, Oct. 14-16. The Bulls fell to Western Michigan, 2-1, before fighting for a scoreless draw against Northern Illinois, Oct. 16. UB's overall record comes in at 6-7-3, with its last win coming back on Oct. 6 against Ohio.
   Offensively, the Bulls have outscored opponents, 17-13. Carrissima Cutrona has shouldered a majority of the goal scoring, netting nine goals this season. Cutrona has accounted for 53 percent of UB's goals this season, with no other player recording more than two scores.
   In goal, Laura Dougall has led the Buffalo defense. In 14 starts, Dougall owns an impressive 0.78 goals against average and has made 57 saves. Dougall also holds an .838 save percentage and has recorded five shutouts.

AKRON INSIDER: Following a showdown with Central Michigan, Oct. 20, the Zips play host to the Eagles, Oct. 23, at FirstEnergy Stadium. Akron carries a 3-9-4 overall record in the final weekend of conference play, and holds a 0-4-4 ledger in league games. The Zips are looking for their first conference win and first victory since Sept. 8 when UA overpowered Robert Morris, 5-2, at home.
   Six different players have found the back of the net for UA this season, but opponents have outscored the Zips, 27-15. Chloe Allen, Ashley Amato, and Sarah Sivic have each registered multiple goals this year, with Allen leading the way with six tallies.
   Veteran Annabelle Hegeman has earned a majority of the minutes between the posts for Akron, and holds a 3-9-3 record this year. Hegeman has posted a 1.77 goals against average this season, surrendering 27 goals, while making 68 saves an recording a shutout.

ALL-TIME SERIES: The Eagles are 20-9-7 all-time against this weekend's opponents, having met Buffalo and Akron, 21 and 15 times, respectively. With the match scored through 65 minutes of play, UB netted the go-ahead goal in the 66th minute to earn the victory. Kaylin Williams made five saves in the loss.
   EMU holds a 10-6-5 edge against Buffalo, and most recently dropping a 1-nil match Oct. 2, 2015.
   The Eagles own the lead over the Zips all-time, coming into this weekend's match with a 10-3-2 record in the series. Eastern Michigan secured last season's clash, 3-2, at Scicluna Field. Gabriella Mancini netted the first goal of her career, and the fastest in EMU history, 1:05 into the match. EMU pushed it's lead to two on a 22nd minute strike by Michelle Rollins, and recorded the game-winner in the 61st minute on a header by Ellie Tillar.

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Players Mentioned

Stef Barcelos

Kristin Hullibarger

Gabriella Mancini

Megan McCabe

Michelle Rollins

Ellie Tillar

Chanel Vani

Rachel Washburn

Kaylin Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics