Eagles Set to Open Homestand Against Youngstown State and Oakland

Soccer vs. Youngstown State \| vs. Oakland
Date	Friday, Sept. 8 - 5 p.m. \| Sunday, Sept. 10 - 1 p.m.
Location	Scicluna Field - Ypsilanti, Mich.
Game Notes	EMU Notes \| YSU Notes \| OU Notes
Live Stats	vs. Youngstown State \| vs. Oakland
Twitter	@EMUSoccer \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - Following a four-game road trip, the Eastern Michigan University soccer team returns to Scicluna Field this weekend, Sept. 8-10, as it opens a three-game homestand. The weekend begins with a 5 p.m. kickoff against Youngstown State University, Friday, Sept. 8. EMU closes out the weekend against in-state foe Oakland University, Sunday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m.
   Fans can follow the game via live stats through the links found on the soccer schedule page of EMUEagles.com. Additionally, the action on the pitch will be live tweeted from the team's account, @EMUSoccer.

EMU VERSUS THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENTS: Eastern Michigan holds a 5-9-1 record against this weekend's opponents. The Green and White are a commanding 4-0-0 versus the Penguins of Youngstown State, while EMU trails the all-time series with Oakland by a 1-9-1 tally.
   Eastern's last meeting with Youngstown State came back in 1999. The Eagles blanked the Penguins in that game, 3-nil, Sept. 17. Three different players recorded goals, while Erin Norton tallied two saves to shutout YSU.
   Sunday's clash with in-state foe Oakland will be the first regular season meeting between the two squads since 2012. EMU and OU have faced off in a number of exhibition matches over the past few seasons, but tied, 3-3, in its last real contest. Bianca Rossi notched two goals, one in the 43rd minute and another in the 54th, as the Eagles fought back from a 3-1 deficit to escape with a draw, Aug. 12, 2012.

AGAINST THE HORIZON LEAGUE ALL-TIME: Based on proximity, it is no surprise that EMU's non-conference schedule consists of four Horizon League institutions. Eastern boasts a 26-21-7 record against members of the Indianapolis, Ind.-based conference, having played seven of its 10 current members. EMU owns perfect records against Youngstown (4-0-0), Illinois-Chicago (2-0-0), and Green Bay (4-0-0). Eastern also leads in the all-time series with IUPUI (7-3-2) and is tied at 8-8-4 against Detroit Mercy all-time. Milwaukee won the lone meeting between the squads, while EMU also trails in the series with Oakland, 1-9-1.

HOME COOKING: Eastern Michigan has found consistent success when playing at home over the past 22 years, compiling a 103-53-28 overall record, good for a .636 win percentage, at Scicluna Field. This season, the Green and White are 0-0-1 on its home pitch.

JUST A DOZEN: After using 19-or-more players in its first four games, just 12 Eagles saw action in Eastern Michigan's bout with Butler, Sept. 1, as freshman Chloe Chatzis served as the lone substitution. It was the fewest amount of players to garner minutes since a dozen Eagles earned time in EMU's game against Toledo, Oct. 24, 2010.

EASTERN VS. THE MITTEN: The Eagles are 39-54-18 against teams hailing from the state of Michigan all-time. EMU's most common opponent is Western Michigan, having squared off against the Broncos 27 times since 1995. Eastern trails in the all-time series by a slim 11-12-4 margin. The Green and White have been most successful against Central Michigan, posting a 12-5-3 mark against the Chippewas. EMU and Detroit Mercy sit level at 8-8-4 in 20 total meetings, while the Eagles trail in series with Michigan (0-8-2), Michigan State (1-12-3), and Oakland (1-9-1).

EYEING 20: Sophomore Sabrina McNeill has totaled 17 points over the first 25 games of her EMU career. Having already notched six goals and five assists, three more points would give McNeill 20 for her career. The Whitby, Ontario native is on the verge of becoming just the 26th player in program history to join the 20-point club, and the first since Ellie Tillar did so in 2016.

OPPORTUNISTIC AGGRESSORS: EMU's aggressive play has been a tell-tale sign of success for the Eagles through the first five games of the season. The Green and White have committed 53 fouls through four games, the fourth-most in the league. Eastern holds a 1-1-1 record when tallying more fouls than the opposition, while EMU is winless, 0-2-0, when committing less fouls than its opponents.

OFFSIDES OFFENDERS: Eastern Michigan has been whistled offsides 16 times through the first five games of the season, the most of any team in the Mid-American Conference. In fact, the Eagles were called offsides nine times in their season opener against Illinois State, Aug. 18. EMU's nine miscues against ISU alone would rank tied for fourth in the league.

ON THE HORIZON: The Green and White close out a three-game homestand next weekend, Sept. 15, against Utah State University. Kickoff between the Eagles and Aggies is slated for 5 p.m. at Scicluna Field.

Eagles Set to Open Homestand Against Youngstown State and Oakland

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Players Mentioned

Chloe Chatzis

Sabrina McNeill

Ellie Tillar

Eastern Michigan Athletics