Eastern Michigan Athletics
Thursday, September 29
Akron, Ohio
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
2-5-3, 1-1-1
3
at
2
Akron
1-5-2, 0-3-0
1
2
F
Eastern Mich.
2
1
3
Akron
1
1
2
Soccer Grabs Road Victory at Akron, 3-2
9/29/2022 10:05:00 PM | Soccer
Lukowski, Greco, and D’Ambra each score to help the Eagles to their first MAC win in 2022
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University soccer team received three goals from three different players as the Eagles went on the road Thursday, Sept. 29, and secured a 3-2 win over the University of Akron at FirstEngery Stadium in Akron, Ohio. The win for Eastern (2-5-3, 1-1-1 MAC) is its first of the year in league play and snaps a seven-match winless streak on the year (0-5-2) while the Zips fell to 1-5-2 (0-3-0).
How It Happened
9' | Eastern opened the scoring early as Meagan Lukowski (Bay City Mich.-Bay City Western) used a fortunate bounce to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. On the play, Lukowski worked her way into the box and tried to get a shot off, but a pair of defenders closed in on her and the keeper tipped the ball away. The ball then went toward a defender who tried to clear the box, but Lukowski stepped in the way and the clearance attempt ricocheted off Lukowski's leg and into the net.
18' | The hosts pulled level nine minutes later with Ella Hadley grabbing the equalizer. On the play, a corner kick was sent into the area by Katie Stafford where Emma King pushed a pass back toward the front post where Hadley was alone and scored into the empty net.
34' | Eastern scored again to take the lead into halftime with Vittoria Greco (Brooklin, Ontario-Brooklin) scoring from distance for the second time this year. On the play, the Eagles were awarded a throw on the right sideline with Lily Spotak (Palatine, Ill.-William Fremd) tossing the ball in. Lukowski received the ball at the corner of the 18-yard box and passed toward the top of the box where Greco moved onto the ball and fired from 25 yards out. Her shot continued to rise and climbed over the keeper's hands and into the net for a 2-1 lead. That lead was made safe by Rebecca Przybylo (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth) twice in the final 11 minutes of the half, including a diving save to her right that tipped a shot away from frame that would have tied the match with under 30 second remaining.
63' | After halftime, the Zips looked to be on the front foot more than the Eagles, but that didn't stop Eastern as its pace helped secure what would be the winning goal. On the play, Sam Lenaghan (Toronto, Ontario-Havergal College) stole the ball and carried it down the right side, dribbling through a pair of defenders, before reaching the box. Once there, she passed through the center of the area to Maddie O'Farrell (Haslett, Mich.-Lansing Catholic), who saw her shot knocked away by the keeper. Despite the save, the ball rebounded directly to Sophia D'Ambra (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South), who easily tapped the ball into the net for her first career goal.
84' | The Zips made a game of it in the later minutes as they pulled one back on another scramble play. King took the ball to the left of the box and slid a pass in where Laurie-Anne Renaud shot low and into the net to make it 3-2. UA had a few more chances in the waning minutes, including a free kick from 20 yards out with just over one minute to play, but that attempt went high of the net as the Eagles hung on to win their first league match in nearly one year (361 days).
Game Notes
» Eastern improved to 2-5-3 (1-1-1 MAC) on the year while Akron fell to 1-5-2 (0-3-0 MAC).
» With the victory, Eastern has now tied its overall win output from 2021 as well as its wins total in MAC play (2-13-3, 1-8-2).
» The win is the first in league play for the Eagles this year and their first since a 2-1 win at Northern Illinois University (Oct. 3, 2021) nearly one year ago.
» The three goals scored are the most in a MAC contest for Eastern since its 4-1 home win over Northern Illinois University April 4, 2021, which was part of the 2020 season (played in the spring because of COVID-19).
» Eastern scored multiple goals in a game for just the third time this year after doing so just twice last year.
» The three goals scored brings the team's season total to 13, which equals the season total accumulated last year.
» Lukowski's goal brings her season total to three, equaling the highest output of 2021 when Amanda Cripps scored three.
» Lukowski scored her first goal since she bagged two at Illinois State University Aug. 21, 2022 and marked her second multiple-point game of the season as she added an assist today for three points (had five points at ISU).
» O'Farrell added her team-leading third assist of the season to move to seven points on the year (two goals, three assists).
» Greco scored her second career goal on the night and her first since she opened her account in the season-opening contest with visiting Western Illinois University (Aug. 18, 2022).
» D'Ambra's goal not only is the first of her career, it also is her first career game-winning tally. The ninth different player to score in 2022 for Eastern, she is now the sixth Eagle to score her first career in 2022 as well.
» Przybylo recorded six saves on the night, one shy of her season best of seven that she tallied against Syracuse University in a 2-0 home loss earlier this year (Sept. 1, 2022).
Historical Notes
» Eastern is now 247-228-63 all-time, needing just three more wins to reach the 250-win milestone.
» After playing in 11 one-goal matches last year (2-9 record), tonight's match is just the second of the season for the Eagles (lost 1-0 at Morehead State University Sept. 8, 2022) and the first in league play.
NEXT UP
Eastern returns home Sunday for a contest with visiting Ohio University. The Eagles and Bobcats will meet at Scicluna Field with a 1 p.m. kick. Sunday also will be Pups at the Pitch as fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to the match.
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).
How It Happened
9' | Eastern opened the scoring early as Meagan Lukowski (Bay City Mich.-Bay City Western) used a fortunate bounce to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. On the play, Lukowski worked her way into the box and tried to get a shot off, but a pair of defenders closed in on her and the keeper tipped the ball away. The ball then went toward a defender who tried to clear the box, but Lukowski stepped in the way and the clearance attempt ricocheted off Lukowski's leg and into the net.
18' | The hosts pulled level nine minutes later with Ella Hadley grabbing the equalizer. On the play, a corner kick was sent into the area by Katie Stafford where Emma King pushed a pass back toward the front post where Hadley was alone and scored into the empty net.
34' | Eastern scored again to take the lead into halftime with Vittoria Greco (Brooklin, Ontario-Brooklin) scoring from distance for the second time this year. On the play, the Eagles were awarded a throw on the right sideline with Lily Spotak (Palatine, Ill.-William Fremd) tossing the ball in. Lukowski received the ball at the corner of the 18-yard box and passed toward the top of the box where Greco moved onto the ball and fired from 25 yards out. Her shot continued to rise and climbed over the keeper's hands and into the net for a 2-1 lead. That lead was made safe by Rebecca Przybylo (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth) twice in the final 11 minutes of the half, including a diving save to her right that tipped a shot away from frame that would have tied the match with under 30 second remaining.
63' | After halftime, the Zips looked to be on the front foot more than the Eagles, but that didn't stop Eastern as its pace helped secure what would be the winning goal. On the play, Sam Lenaghan (Toronto, Ontario-Havergal College) stole the ball and carried it down the right side, dribbling through a pair of defenders, before reaching the box. Once there, she passed through the center of the area to Maddie O'Farrell (Haslett, Mich.-Lansing Catholic), who saw her shot knocked away by the keeper. Despite the save, the ball rebounded directly to Sophia D'Ambra (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South), who easily tapped the ball into the net for her first career goal.
84' | The Zips made a game of it in the later minutes as they pulled one back on another scramble play. King took the ball to the left of the box and slid a pass in where Laurie-Anne Renaud shot low and into the net to make it 3-2. UA had a few more chances in the waning minutes, including a free kick from 20 yards out with just over one minute to play, but that attempt went high of the net as the Eagles hung on to win their first league match in nearly one year (361 days).
Game Notes
» Eastern improved to 2-5-3 (1-1-1 MAC) on the year while Akron fell to 1-5-2 (0-3-0 MAC).
» With the victory, Eastern has now tied its overall win output from 2021 as well as its wins total in MAC play (2-13-3, 1-8-2).
» The win is the first in league play for the Eagles this year and their first since a 2-1 win at Northern Illinois University (Oct. 3, 2021) nearly one year ago.
» The three goals scored are the most in a MAC contest for Eastern since its 4-1 home win over Northern Illinois University April 4, 2021, which was part of the 2020 season (played in the spring because of COVID-19).
» Eastern scored multiple goals in a game for just the third time this year after doing so just twice last year.
» The three goals scored brings the team's season total to 13, which equals the season total accumulated last year.
» Lukowski's goal brings her season total to three, equaling the highest output of 2021 when Amanda Cripps scored three.
» Lukowski scored her first goal since she bagged two at Illinois State University Aug. 21, 2022 and marked her second multiple-point game of the season as she added an assist today for three points (had five points at ISU).
» O'Farrell added her team-leading third assist of the season to move to seven points on the year (two goals, three assists).
» Greco scored her second career goal on the night and her first since she opened her account in the season-opening contest with visiting Western Illinois University (Aug. 18, 2022).
» D'Ambra's goal not only is the first of her career, it also is her first career game-winning tally. The ninth different player to score in 2022 for Eastern, she is now the sixth Eagle to score her first career in 2022 as well.
» Przybylo recorded six saves on the night, one shy of her season best of seven that she tallied against Syracuse University in a 2-0 home loss earlier this year (Sept. 1, 2022).
Historical Notes
» Eastern is now 247-228-63 all-time, needing just three more wins to reach the 250-win milestone.
» After playing in 11 one-goal matches last year (2-9 record), tonight's match is just the second of the season for the Eagles (lost 1-0 at Morehead State University Sept. 8, 2022) and the first in league play.
NEXT UP
Eastern returns home Sunday for a contest with visiting Ohio University. The Eagles and Bobcats will meet at Scicluna Field with a 1 p.m. kick. Sunday also will be Pups at the Pitch as fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to the match.
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).
Team Stats
EMU
AKRON
Goals
3
2
Shots
10
16
Shots on Goal
7
8
Saves
6
4
Corners
1
6
Fouls
15
15
Scoring Plays
Meagan Lukowski (3)
deflection off defender knocked back on deflection by 7
08:44
Ella Hadley (1)
Assisted By: Emma King , Katie Stafford
short corner played into box finds corner
17:51
Vittoria Greco (2)
Assisted By: Meagan Lukowski
played to top of box, shot from 20 yards out
33:21
Sophia D'Ambra (1)
Assisted By: Maddie O'Farrell
pair of deflections and redirect to corner
62:58
Laurie-Anne Renaud (1)
Assisted By: Emma King
slide in from corner of box, shot from 6 yards
83:15
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
MF/F
/ SoccerMF/F
/ SoccerF/MF
/ Soccer
D
/ SoccerF
/ SoccerMF/F
/ Soccer
GK
/ Soccer
F
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