Previewing the Women's Soccer Season

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — With the loss of five seniors, all of which started, the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team will rely on a mix of veterans and newcomers to take EMU back to the postseason in 2016. Coming off a campaign that left them one win shy of the conference tournament, the Eagles will remain under the direction of longtime head coach Scott Hall.

The 2016 schedule is comprised of 11 home matches, giving EMU soccer fans plenty of opportunities to catch the Eagles in action at Scicluna Field. The Green and White host Butler, Aug. 21, to open the season before returning to Ypsilanti in September for a four-game home stand. Then, the Eagles will host Loyola Chicago (Sept. 4), Oregon State (Sept. 11), Illinois State (Sept. 16), and Detroit (Sept. 18). The meeting with the Titans, Sept. 18, marks the final non-conference match of the regular season for Eastern before turning its attention to Mid-American Conference competition. After opening MAC play on the road, EMU clashes with Ball State (Sept. 30) and Miami (Oct. 2) at Scicluna. Following a Thursday night showdown on the road with Bowling Green (Oct. 6), Eastern Michigan hosts Toledo (Oct. 9), Ohio (Oct. 14), and Kent State (Oct. 16), before closing out the regular season at home against Central Michigan (Oct. 27).

In his 18th season at the helm, Hall's squad features seven seniors, including redshirt senior captains Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin) and Jennifer Bentley (London, Ontario-London). Redshirt sophomore Kristin Nason (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) will also serve as a captain for EMU this season. With 15 players returning, the Eagles roster features five newcomers that add depth at every position.

FORWARDS
With its top two goal scorers from a season ago returning in Nason and senior Michelle Rollins (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland), the Eagles look to be in good shape at striker going into this season. Nason led the Eagles with seven goals and 14 points, while Rollins ranked second on the team with three goals. Also returning for the Green and White at forward is sophomore Peyton Davis (North Ridgeville, Ohio-Holy Name). Davis returns for her second go around after playing in 19 games last season and recording an assist. In addition to the trio of returners, freshman Sabrina McNeil (Whitby, Ontario-Henry Street) adds depth at forward and could challenge for a spot in the starting lineup as she adjusts to the collegiate game.

MIDFIELD
The Eagles' midfield will be without a familiar face for the first time since 2009 after losing mainstay Chelsie Oddan to graduation. Despite the loss, sophomore Mikayla Cupp (Ostego, Mich.-Ostego), Tillar, and senior Madison Hirsch (Troy, Mich.-Troy) headline a long list of returners. A defensive midfielder, Cupp made her debut in EMU's 2015 season opener as a sub before claiming the starting job for the remainder of the year and providing stout defensive play in the midfield. Tillar played in every game for the Green and White last season, starting 15 of them, tallying one goal and one assist. A near-lock at attacking midfielder, Tillar will play in front of Cupp with Hirsch returning to her post at outside midfielder. Hirsch also played every game for the Eagles last season, netting two goals and an assist. Senior Gabriella Mancini (Troy, Mich.-Athens) started in the final midfield spot in EMU's exhibition match, Aug. 12, while redshirt freshman Mia Colavito (Mississauga, Ontario-Loyola Catholic), junior Alex Wilbanks (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln), freshman Maggie McCullough (London, Ontario-Oakridge), and sophomore Mackenzie Etienne (Midland, Mich.-Midland Dow) will also fight for minutes off the bench.

DEFENSE
On defense, Eastern Michigan returns half of last year's starting back line. Bentley is back at outside back with senior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) anchoring the other outside position. EMU's assist leader in 2015, Washburn played every single minute over 19 games for the Eagles at center back. With Washburn moving to the outside to replace Julia Lombardi, senior Stef Barcelos (Mississauga, Ontario-St. Marcellinus) and freshman Nicole Remedios (Ajax, Ontario-Archbishop Dennis O'Connor) will fill the void in the middle left by Washburn and Hallee Kansman. Barcelos transitions to defense after spending the past three seasons as a midfielder. Meanwhile, Remedios earned the nod in EMU's preseason match and looked calm and composed under pressure.Also in the mix for playing time on the defensive end of the pitch are freshman Aubrey Martin (Toronto, Ontario-Father John Redmond) and junior Chanel Vani (Brampton, Ontario-Cardinal Leger).

GOALKEEPING
In between the posts, the Green and White suffer the loss of Megan McCabe, a three-year starter for Hall's squad. The incumbent starter heading into the 2015 campaign, McCabe's senior season was plagued by injuries, making way for then-freshman Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka). Now in her second go-around as starting goalkeeper, Williams is ready to improve on her 1.29 goals against average from a season ago. The Kansas City, Mo. native recorded a team-high 59 saves, while posting two shutouts in her first year at the collegiate level. Freshman Mabel Dunn (Oakville, Ontario-White Oaks) will serve as Williams' backup in 2016. A 5-foot-11 keeper with strong footwork, Dunn displayed a strong presence in between the posts in Eastern's exhibition win over Oakland, Aug. 12.

Players Mentioned

Stef Barcelos

Jennifer Bentley

Mia Colavito

Mikayla Cupp

Peyton Davis

Mabel Dunn

Mackenzie Etienne

Madison Hirsch

Kristin Hullibarger

Hallee Kansman

Julia Lombardi

Gabriella Mancini

Aubrey Martin

Megan McCabe

Maggie McCullough

Sabrina McNeill

Chelsie Oddan

Nicole Remedios

Michelle Rollins

Ellie Tillar

Chanel Vani

Rachel Washburn

Alex Wilbanks

Kaylin Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics