Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, October 23
Akron, Ohio
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
6-8-4 (4-4-2MAC)
1
at
0
Akron
4-10-4(1-5-4MAC)
1
2
F
Eastern Michigan
1
0
1
AKRON
0
0
0
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Stout Defense and Tillar's Early Goal Leads Eagles to Win Over Akron
10/23/2016 3:13:00 PM | Soccer
Kaylin Williams posted the seventh shutout of her career
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – Stout defense and an early goal led the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over the University of Akron Sunday afternoon, Oct. 23, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Eagles (6-8-4, 4-4-2 MAC) held a 15-5 lead in shots, while sophomore goalkeeper Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka) posted her fifth shutout of the season, and the seventh of her career.
The Eagles early pressure on the Akron (4-10-4, 1-5-4 MAC) defense paid off in the ninth minute. Corralling the ball in the midfield, senior Madison Hirsch (Troy, Mich.-Troy) played a beautiful ball forward through the UA backline. Catching the Zips' defense on their heels, redshirt senior Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin) blew by the defense and met Hirsch's pass in the middle of the 18. Taking on the Akron keeper 1-on-1, Tillar buried a shot for her team-leading fifth goal of the league, putting Eastern Michigan in front, 1-nil.
The Zips' first chance of the match came in the 18th minute when the Eagles were whistled for a foul on a 50-50 ball, providing Akron with a free kick 15 yards outside the box. Serving a ball wide, Akron tracked down the ball and fired a shot that was blocked out for a corner. On the ensuing corner, the Zips sent in a secondary cross that was denied by Williams and cleared by the Eagles.
Entering the match as a substitute, senior Michelle Rollins (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) sparked the EMU attack leading to a number of opportunities on goal. Moments after checking in, Rollins ripped a shot from the endline that was saved. Eastern Michigan maintained the pressure, connecting on the flank, but the Akron defense denied shots by freshman Sabrina McNeill (Whitby, Ontario-Henry Street), Tillar, Rollins, and Hirsch.
Akron's first shot on goal came in the 38th minute, but a save by Williams kept the score 1-nil in favor of the Green and White.
In the second half, a corner nearly doubled EMU's lead. Senior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) played the ball to the far side of the box where McNeill turned on her mark and delivered a cross inside the six. A diving punch out by the Akron keeper fell to the feet of Hirsch on the far side. With an open goal in front of her, Hirsch ripped a shot but a save by a defender kept her from finding the back of the net.
The Eagles came right back moments later, earning another corner, but senior Stef Barcelos' (Mississauga, Ontario-St. Marcelinus) header soared high.
The Zips pieced together a few opportunities late but the Green and White's defense prevailed, solidifying a 1-nil win for the Eagles. The victory moved EMU's unbeaten streak to six games and secured the Eagles a spot in the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
EMU wraps up the regular season at home Thursday, Oct. 27, against in-state rival Central Michigan. The MAC West clash is set for 3 p.m. at Scicluna Field.
The Eagles early pressure on the Akron (4-10-4, 1-5-4 MAC) defense paid off in the ninth minute. Corralling the ball in the midfield, senior Madison Hirsch (Troy, Mich.-Troy) played a beautiful ball forward through the UA backline. Catching the Zips' defense on their heels, redshirt senior Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin) blew by the defense and met Hirsch's pass in the middle of the 18. Taking on the Akron keeper 1-on-1, Tillar buried a shot for her team-leading fifth goal of the league, putting Eastern Michigan in front, 1-nil.
The Zips' first chance of the match came in the 18th minute when the Eagles were whistled for a foul on a 50-50 ball, providing Akron with a free kick 15 yards outside the box. Serving a ball wide, Akron tracked down the ball and fired a shot that was blocked out for a corner. On the ensuing corner, the Zips sent in a secondary cross that was denied by Williams and cleared by the Eagles.
Entering the match as a substitute, senior Michelle Rollins (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) sparked the EMU attack leading to a number of opportunities on goal. Moments after checking in, Rollins ripped a shot from the endline that was saved. Eastern Michigan maintained the pressure, connecting on the flank, but the Akron defense denied shots by freshman Sabrina McNeill (Whitby, Ontario-Henry Street), Tillar, Rollins, and Hirsch.
Akron's first shot on goal came in the 38th minute, but a save by Williams kept the score 1-nil in favor of the Green and White.
In the second half, a corner nearly doubled EMU's lead. Senior Rachel Washburn (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland) played the ball to the far side of the box where McNeill turned on her mark and delivered a cross inside the six. A diving punch out by the Akron keeper fell to the feet of Hirsch on the far side. With an open goal in front of her, Hirsch ripped a shot but a save by a defender kept her from finding the back of the net.
The Eagles came right back moments later, earning another corner, but senior Stef Barcelos' (Mississauga, Ontario-St. Marcelinus) header soared high.
The Zips pieced together a few opportunities late but the Green and White's defense prevailed, solidifying a 1-nil win for the Eagles. The victory moved EMU's unbeaten streak to six games and secured the Eagles a spot in the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
EMU wraps up the regular season at home Thursday, Oct. 27, against in-state rival Central Michigan. The MAC West clash is set for 3 p.m. at Scicluna Field.
Team Stats
EMU
AKR
Goals
1
0
Shots
15
5
Shots on Goal
8
2
Saves
2
7
Corners
7
1
Fouls
5
11
Scoring Plays
TILLAR,ELLIE (5)
Assisted By: HIRSCH,MADISON
pass through middle right side of goal
8:46
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
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