Soccer Set to Open Season at Home

Soccer vs. Butler
Date	Sunday, Aug. 21
Location	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Scicluna Field
Game Notes	EMU Notes
Live Stats	EMUEagles.com
Live Stream	Not Available
Twitter	@EMUSoccer \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, MICH. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team lifts the lid on the 2016 season Sunday, Aug. 21, when the Eagles welcome the Bulldogs of Butler University to Scicluna Field for a 1 p.m. match.
Fans can follow live stats at EMUEagles.com, or via the team's Twitter account,
@EMUSoccer, for in-game updates.

ALL-TIME RECORD VERSUS BUTLER: Eastern Michigan and Butler have squared off on the pitch five times over the past 20 years, with the Bulldogs holding a 2-1-2 edge in the all-time series. Most recently, EMU dropped a 3-0 match in Indianapolis in 2015. The Eagles were out-shot 13-6 in that contest, as BU used goals from Serina Kashimoto ('24) and Paige Monaghan ('41, 89') to send the Green and White home with a loss.

EXHIBITION WIN IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR: The Eagles aced an early lesson on playing through adversity in their season opener, taking down Oakland 3-1, despite a downpour and venue change. The Green and White held the edge in shots in the exhibition match, leading to a trio of goals. Michelle Rollins broke the scoreless tie early, before Kristin Nason and Mia Colavito added insurance goals in the second half of play. In goal, Kaylin Williams did not relinquish a goal, leaving with a clean sheet through 75 minutes of action.

BATTLING THE BULLDOGS: Butler is coming off a 2015 season in which it posted a 16-7-1 record en route to a Big East Title, including a 3-0 win over Eastern Michigan. In one exhibition game this year, the Bulldogs drew even with Kansas, 2-2. BU opens the season at home against Ohio before traveling to Scicluna Field, Aug. 21.
Leading the charge for the Bulldogs this season will be Serina Kashimoto, Halle Stelbasky, and Madison Card. Kashimoto, a Top Drawer Soccer Best XI Third Team selection, led BU with six assists last season while Stelbasky was the squad's top goal-scorer with nine. BU's attack does suffer the lose of Sophia Maccagnone. Maccagnone tied for the team-lead with 21 points last season, netting eight goals and totaling five assists in her final campaign. Meanwhile, Card anchored the defensive effort for Butler, turning in a 14-7-1 record with a 0.96 goals against average in 2015.

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: With the loss of both Megan McCabe and Chelsie Oddan to graduation, head coach Scott Hall announced the Eagles' new captains for the 2016 campaign. Leading the Green and White this season are a pair of workhorse veterans in Jennifer Bentley and Ellie Tillar, and an explosive redshirt sophomore in Kristin Nason. Bentley and Tillar return for their final go-around as redshirt seniors. A stout outside back, Bentley returns after helping the Eagles to three shutouts a season ago. Meanwhile, Tillar's fast-paced and aggressive play in the midfield produced one goal and an assist in 2015, and will be an integral part of EMU's success in 2016. Rounding out the trio is Nason, EMU's leader in points (14) and goals (7) from 2015.

LIFTING THE LID ALL-TIME: In 20 seasons, the Eagles boast an 11-5-4 record in season openers. Eastern's most recent season-opening win came in 2014, when EMU shutout Fordham, 2-0, at Scicluna Field.

SCICLUNA SUCCESS: Eastern Michigan has found consistent success when playing at home over the past 20 years, compiling a 100-48-25 overall record at Scicluna. The Green and White's 100th win came in EMU's 3-2 win over Akron, Oct. 4, 2015. In that contest, Gabriella Mancini netted the quickest goal in EMU history, scoring in the second minute of play. Michelle Rollins' goal in the 21st minute was followed by Ellie Tillar's game-winning strike in the 61st.

LOOKING FOR A 'PERFECT 10': After leading the Eagles with five assists a season ago, Rachel Washburn's, career assist total sits at nine ahead of EMU's season opener. With her next helper, Washburn will become the 18th Eagle to reach double-digit assists during their career.

FRESHMEN FIREPOWER: Four freshmen got their first taste of collegiate soccer in EMU's exhibtion win over Oakland, Aug. 12. The lone newcomer to earn the start, Nicole Remedios turned in a solid performance at center back, withstanding pressure and anchoring the Eagles' backline. Sabrina McNeil entered the game as a substitution at forward and immediately challenged the OU defense. Playing alongside 2015 MAC All-Freshmen Team honoree, Kristin Nason, McNeil showcased the ability to breakthrough the backline with her speed and deliver crosses to her quick counterpart. In the midfield, Maggie McCullough provided head coach Scott Hall with quality minutes off the bench. Rounding out the talented group, Mabel Dunn stepped in between the posts to relieve Kaylin Williams in the second half. Dunn showed promise, making a few key stops and aiding the EMU defense.

NON-CONFERENCE VARIETY: The 2016 schedule features teams from six different conferences, including 11 Mid-American Conference opponents. In non-conference action, the Green and White will go up against squads from five different leagues. Sunday's match pits the Eagles against Butler, a member of the Big East Conference. In addition to the New York based league, EMU will tangle with opponents from five other conferences. Following this weekend's match, Eastern Michigan will tackle a pair of Big Ten Conference foes in Iowa and Minnesota, one team from the Pac-12 (Oregon State) and Missouri Valley Conference (Illinois State), and three from the Horizon League (Green Bay, Loyola Chicago, and Detroit).

LOOKING AHEAD: Following this weekend's season opener, the Eagles will make the 686-mile trip to the Twin Cities for a pair of matches against Big Ten Conference foes, Iowa and Minnesota. First up, the Green and White will square off with Iowa on a neutral pitch, Aug. 26, before wrapping up the weekend against Minnesota, Aug. 28.

FOLLOW THE ACTION ALL SEASON LONG: Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUSoccer and @EMUAthletics on Twitter for all of the latest EMU soccer updates. Be sure to use the hashtags EMUEagles and WeAre.

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Players Mentioned

Jennifer Bentley

Mia Colavito

Mabel Dunn

Kristin Hullibarger

Gabriella Mancini

Megan McCabe

Maggie McCullough

Sabrina McNeill

Chelsie Oddan

Nicole Remedios

Michelle Rollins

Ellie Tillar

Rachel Washburn

Kaylin Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics