Eastern Michigan Athletics
Preview: Soccer Looking to Build on Youthful Foundation
8/18/2022 12:55:00 PM | Soccer
Scott Hall takes a look at his young squad ahead of today's season-opener
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University soccer team is set to get its 28th varsity season underway this week with Head Coach Scott Hall, who is entering his 24th campaign at the helm, bringing a youthful roster to the pitch. The Eagles' 2022 roster will feature 25 student-athletes, including 11 freshmen, 10 sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.
Included in the returning upperclassmen are seniors Sarah Ash (South Lyon, Mich.-South Lyon) and Kylie Frantz (Erie, Pa.-Villa Maria Academy) and juniors Rebecca Przybylo (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth) and Tiffanie Hollingsworth (South Lyon, Mich.-South Lyon). While their experience will be needed to help lead the way, the contributions of the younger classes will be vital, as was evident in the team's two exhibition matches this season, away to Oakland and at home against Detroit Mercy.
"The objective was to get everyone some time," Hall said of the two friendlies. "With the 21 freshmen and sophomores, we tried to get everyone 45 to 60 minutes so we could get a better view of what we have heading into the season and shortening our roster. Sometimes you have players that really practice well and others that get into a game and are gamers, so this gave us an opportunity to see where were at ahead of the regular season."
With the regular season just days away now, Hall viewed three returning players as keys to getting the team off to a strong start in 2022.
"I think Becca (Przybylo) in goal is going to be important for us and for her consistency," Hall started. "If we can get some consistent goalkeeping out of her, I think that will be a key for us. Two others I see as being keys to success are Maddie O'Farrell (Haslett, Mich.-Lansing Catholic) and Sophia D'Ambra (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South). We need Maddie to continue attacking and creating chances. For Sophia, her midfield play, both defending and winning balls, while also adding to the attack will be needed."
Regardless of the 11 that take the pitch at the start of a match, it will be a team effort all around that will be needed. And while the two preseason matches lent insight into where impact and effort can come from, the non-conference slate will also be a great tool for Hall's squad as they prepare for a run at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) title.
"The non-conference schedule always gives us a better idea of where we stand," Hall said. "It will stretch us a little bit, especially Syracuse in the ACC, but getting a view of those teams and seeing where we want to get to is key. You always want to play the best to see where you are as a program. We don't want to be stretched too much, but we will see some teams that are similar to teams in the MAC. We will see different formations that will challenge us and how we play against those systems is always important for us as we go down the line."
This year's non-conference schedule will see the Eagles play seven contests, including three on the road and four at home, starting this Thursday with a visit from Western Illinois. Additional home contests include Syracuse (Sept. 1) and Dartmouth (Sept. 4). On the road, Eastern will face Illinois State (Aug. 21), St. Bonaventure (Aug. 28), Morehead State (Sept. 8) and Kentucky (Sept. 11). All that will lead up to the start of conference play against rival Central Michigan on Sept. 22.
"It is interesting; we played Central the last game of the season almost exclusively since they were our travel partner," Hall started. "So, it is strange to have a complete change over to playing in the first game of the year. They are always good, they are always organized and play hard. It is always tough because it also is a rivalry game, another Michigan team, and we have always had close games with them for the last few years. I think we will be motivated to open the season against them, but they will be a solid side that always starts the conference season well."
That home match will be the first of five MAC contests at home, a slate that also features visits from Ohio (Oct. 2), Kent State (Oct. 6), Toledo (Oct. 13), and Bowling Green (Oct. 23) for Senior Day. Six matches on the road also await Eastern as the Eagles will venture to Ball State (Sept. 25), Akron (Sept. 29), Buffalo (Oct. 9), Western Michigan (Oct. 16), Northern Illinois (Oct. 20), and Miami (Oct. 27).
Not only will the league schedule be tough, but an added twist from the NCAA could thicken the plot as to who makes the MAC Playoffs at the end of the season. New for 2022, overtime will not be played in regular season contests -- it will only be utilized in postseason play. The rule change means all matches tied at the end of regulation will immediately end in a tie.
How big of an impact could the removal of overtime have in 2022? Looking back at the 2021 conference slate, 10 matches were won or loss in overtime. Had those matches all ended in ties instead of going to overtime, Ohio, who tied for second with 24 points, would have won the league title with 25 while Bowling Green, the eventual MAC champion with 25 points, would have fallen into a tie for second with Buffalo (who was fourth) on 21 points. Additionally, Kent State, who tied with OU for second with 24 points, would have dropped to fifth with 18 points after winning three overtime contests.
"Everything in the MAC is so tight to begin with," Hall said. "Everyone is so similar that those ties are going to make a big difference. It will be interesting to see how those ties shape the middle of the pack and who will make the playoffs. That is why every game is important."
QUICK KICKS
• The Eagles enter the season with an all-time record of 245-223-60, leaving them five wins shy of the 250 milestone
• Thirteen players could make their collegiate debuts this year, including 11 true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen
• The coaching staff has added two newcomers in 2022, including former Eastern soccer player Megan Miles (Megan Trapp) and goalkeeper coach Mike Sheehy
• In non-conference play, Eastern will face seven opponents from seven different conferences, including the first all-time meeting with a member of the Ivy League (Dartmouth)
• Eastern will face two foes for the first time in program history with its home match against Dartmouth and its road contest at Kentucky
FOLLOW US
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, continue to visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMUSoccer) and Instagram (@EMUSoccer).
Included in the returning upperclassmen are seniors Sarah Ash (South Lyon, Mich.-South Lyon) and Kylie Frantz (Erie, Pa.-Villa Maria Academy) and juniors Rebecca Przybylo (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth) and Tiffanie Hollingsworth (South Lyon, Mich.-South Lyon). While their experience will be needed to help lead the way, the contributions of the younger classes will be vital, as was evident in the team's two exhibition matches this season, away to Oakland and at home against Detroit Mercy.
"The objective was to get everyone some time," Hall said of the two friendlies. "With the 21 freshmen and sophomores, we tried to get everyone 45 to 60 minutes so we could get a better view of what we have heading into the season and shortening our roster. Sometimes you have players that really practice well and others that get into a game and are gamers, so this gave us an opportunity to see where were at ahead of the regular season."
With the regular season just days away now, Hall viewed three returning players as keys to getting the team off to a strong start in 2022.
"I think Becca (Przybylo) in goal is going to be important for us and for her consistency," Hall started. "If we can get some consistent goalkeeping out of her, I think that will be a key for us. Two others I see as being keys to success are Maddie O'Farrell (Haslett, Mich.-Lansing Catholic) and Sophia D'Ambra (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South). We need Maddie to continue attacking and creating chances. For Sophia, her midfield play, both defending and winning balls, while also adding to the attack will be needed."
Regardless of the 11 that take the pitch at the start of a match, it will be a team effort all around that will be needed. And while the two preseason matches lent insight into where impact and effort can come from, the non-conference slate will also be a great tool for Hall's squad as they prepare for a run at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) title.
"The non-conference schedule always gives us a better idea of where we stand," Hall said. "It will stretch us a little bit, especially Syracuse in the ACC, but getting a view of those teams and seeing where we want to get to is key. You always want to play the best to see where you are as a program. We don't want to be stretched too much, but we will see some teams that are similar to teams in the MAC. We will see different formations that will challenge us and how we play against those systems is always important for us as we go down the line."
This year's non-conference schedule will see the Eagles play seven contests, including three on the road and four at home, starting this Thursday with a visit from Western Illinois. Additional home contests include Syracuse (Sept. 1) and Dartmouth (Sept. 4). On the road, Eastern will face Illinois State (Aug. 21), St. Bonaventure (Aug. 28), Morehead State (Sept. 8) and Kentucky (Sept. 11). All that will lead up to the start of conference play against rival Central Michigan on Sept. 22.
"It is interesting; we played Central the last game of the season almost exclusively since they were our travel partner," Hall started. "So, it is strange to have a complete change over to playing in the first game of the year. They are always good, they are always organized and play hard. It is always tough because it also is a rivalry game, another Michigan team, and we have always had close games with them for the last few years. I think we will be motivated to open the season against them, but they will be a solid side that always starts the conference season well."
That home match will be the first of five MAC contests at home, a slate that also features visits from Ohio (Oct. 2), Kent State (Oct. 6), Toledo (Oct. 13), and Bowling Green (Oct. 23) for Senior Day. Six matches on the road also await Eastern as the Eagles will venture to Ball State (Sept. 25), Akron (Sept. 29), Buffalo (Oct. 9), Western Michigan (Oct. 16), Northern Illinois (Oct. 20), and Miami (Oct. 27).
Not only will the league schedule be tough, but an added twist from the NCAA could thicken the plot as to who makes the MAC Playoffs at the end of the season. New for 2022, overtime will not be played in regular season contests -- it will only be utilized in postseason play. The rule change means all matches tied at the end of regulation will immediately end in a tie.
How big of an impact could the removal of overtime have in 2022? Looking back at the 2021 conference slate, 10 matches were won or loss in overtime. Had those matches all ended in ties instead of going to overtime, Ohio, who tied for second with 24 points, would have won the league title with 25 while Bowling Green, the eventual MAC champion with 25 points, would have fallen into a tie for second with Buffalo (who was fourth) on 21 points. Additionally, Kent State, who tied with OU for second with 24 points, would have dropped to fifth with 18 points after winning three overtime contests.
"Everything in the MAC is so tight to begin with," Hall said. "Everyone is so similar that those ties are going to make a big difference. It will be interesting to see how those ties shape the middle of the pack and who will make the playoffs. That is why every game is important."
QUICK KICKS
• The Eagles enter the season with an all-time record of 245-223-60, leaving them five wins shy of the 250 milestone
• Thirteen players could make their collegiate debuts this year, including 11 true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen
• The coaching staff has added two newcomers in 2022, including former Eastern soccer player Megan Miles (Megan Trapp) and goalkeeper coach Mike Sheehy
• In non-conference play, Eastern will face seven opponents from seven different conferences, including the first all-time meeting with a member of the Ivy League (Dartmouth)
• Eastern will face two foes for the first time in program history with its home match against Dartmouth and its road contest at Kentucky
FOLLOW US
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, continue to visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMUSoccer) and Instagram (@EMUSoccer).
Players Mentioned
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