Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, October 3
DeKalb, Ill.
2 p.m. CT
Eastern Michigan University
2-7-2, 1-2-1
2
at
1
Northern Illinois
4-8-0, 1-3-0
1
2
F
Eastern Michigan
2
0
2
Northern Illinois
1
0
1
Soccer Earns First MAC Victory, Over Northern Illinois
10/3/2021 6:24:00 PM | Soccer
EMU returns to Scicluna to battle Buffalo Thursday, Oct. 7
DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University soccer team earned its first Mid-American Conference victory, over Northern Illinois, 2-1, Sunday afternoon. The win gives the Eagles an overall record of 2-7-2 and a MAC record of 1-2-1.
"I am very proud of the commitment this group has made," Head Coach Scott Hall said. "Our team turned around its fortunes after the Western Michigan game. We had a great team win and Lindsey [Shira] had one of the best goals I have seen in my career. We are enjoying the win tonight knowing we must be much sharper against a very good and experienced Buffalo team on Thursday."
Senior Lindsey Shira (New Baltimore, Mich.-Anchor Bay) and junior Sarah Ash (South Lyon, Mich.-South Lyon) led the Eagles with a goal apiece. Both also combined for five shots, two on goal. Sophomore Amanda Cripps (Bradford, Ontario-Trinity Catholic) tallied a team-high four shots and a shot on goal. Redshirt junior Madeline Olson (Libertyville, Ill.-Libertyville) recorded two shots while freshman Lexy Alston (Amherst, Ohio-Marion L. Steele) led the Eastern with three shots and one shot on goal in 32 minutes off the bench.
How It Happened
The two squads scored all three goals in the first half. The Green and White got the scoring started when Shira took it upon herself to drive a shot into the top right corner of the net to give the Eagles the early lead in the 20th minute.
Eastern added an insurance goal and, ultimately, the game-winning score in the 34th minute when Ash scored on a rebound opportunity in the front of the net.
The Huskies got on the board in the 40th minute on a penalty kick try after an EMU foul in the box.
Game Notes
» The scores for Shira and Ash were both their firsts of the 2021 campaign.
» The goal for Shira was her eighth career score and her 29th collegiate point.
» As for Ash, the defender now has three collegiate goals.
» EMU's attack tallied 17 total shots, just the second time this season the Eagles have notched 15-plus shots (19, vs. St. Bonaventure, Sept. 3).
» Senior Chelsea Abbotts (Ottawa, Ontario-Mother Teresa) notched three saves and her second win of the season.
» Abbotts now has 13 career wins donning the Green and White.
» Five different Eagles notched multiple shots and six different Eagles earned a shot on goal.
Historical Notes
» The match on Sunday was the 27th meeting between the two MAC foes.
» It was Eastern's 20th all-time win over the Huskies.
» EMU now holds a 20-5-3 all-time record over NIU.
Up Next
The Eagles return to Scicluna to host Buffalo Thursday, Oct. 7. Kickoff in Ypsilanti is set for 4 p.m.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan soccer, continue to check EMUEagles.com and be sure to follow the team on Instagram and Twitter, @EMUSoccer.
"I am very proud of the commitment this group has made," Head Coach Scott Hall said. "Our team turned around its fortunes after the Western Michigan game. We had a great team win and Lindsey [Shira] had one of the best goals I have seen in my career. We are enjoying the win tonight knowing we must be much sharper against a very good and experienced Buffalo team on Thursday."
Senior Lindsey Shira (New Baltimore, Mich.-Anchor Bay) and junior Sarah Ash (South Lyon, Mich.-South Lyon) led the Eagles with a goal apiece. Both also combined for five shots, two on goal. Sophomore Amanda Cripps (Bradford, Ontario-Trinity Catholic) tallied a team-high four shots and a shot on goal. Redshirt junior Madeline Olson (Libertyville, Ill.-Libertyville) recorded two shots while freshman Lexy Alston (Amherst, Ohio-Marion L. Steele) led the Eastern with three shots and one shot on goal in 32 minutes off the bench.
How It Happened
The two squads scored all three goals in the first half. The Green and White got the scoring started when Shira took it upon herself to drive a shot into the top right corner of the net to give the Eagles the early lead in the 20th minute.
.@lshira13 TAKES IT HERSELF 😤#EMUEagles | #RaiseYourBar pic.twitter.com/ZoJgMk5vZq
— EMU Soccer (@EMUSoccer) October 3, 2021
Eastern added an insurance goal and, ultimately, the game-winning score in the 34th minute when Ash scored on a rebound opportunity in the front of the net.
.@sarah_ash8 ADDS ANOTHER 😏💪#EMUEagles | #RaiseYourBar pic.twitter.com/wel2B22B1J
— EMU Soccer (@EMUSoccer) October 3, 2021
The Huskies got on the board in the 40th minute on a penalty kick try after an EMU foul in the box.
Game Notes
» The scores for Shira and Ash were both their firsts of the 2021 campaign.
» The goal for Shira was her eighth career score and her 29th collegiate point.
» As for Ash, the defender now has three collegiate goals.
» EMU's attack tallied 17 total shots, just the second time this season the Eagles have notched 15-plus shots (19, vs. St. Bonaventure, Sept. 3).
» Senior Chelsea Abbotts (Ottawa, Ontario-Mother Teresa) notched three saves and her second win of the season.
» Abbotts now has 13 career wins donning the Green and White.
» Five different Eagles notched multiple shots and six different Eagles earned a shot on goal.
Historical Notes
» The match on Sunday was the 27th meeting between the two MAC foes.
» It was Eastern's 20th all-time win over the Huskies.
» EMU now holds a 20-5-3 all-time record over NIU.
Up Next
The Eagles return to Scicluna to host Buffalo Thursday, Oct. 7. Kickoff in Ypsilanti is set for 4 p.m.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan soccer, continue to check EMUEagles.com and be sure to follow the team on Instagram and Twitter, @EMUSoccer.
Team Stats
EMU
NIU
Goals
2
1
Shots
17
10
Shots on Goal
6
5
Saves
3
4
Corners
2
1
Fouls
14
20
Scoring Plays
Lindsey Shira (1)
edge of the D to the far post
19:42
Sarah Ash (1)
rebound from free kick inside 6
33:09
Julia Neary (1)
NIU Julia Neary PENALTY KICK GOAL.
39:31
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
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