Women's Soccer Announces 2016 Schedule

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team released its schedule for the 2016 campaign today, June 2. The 20-game schedule includes an exhibition match to begin the year followed by eight non-conference bouts and a grueling 11-game Mid-American Conference slate. The Eagles will open the regular season at home, as EMU Head Coach Scott Hall enters his 18th season at the helm.

For the second consecutive season, the Green and White will battle Oakland University in an exhibition match for its first taste of competition. This year, EMU travels to Rochester, Aug. 12, for an under-the-lights tilt versus the Golden Grizzlies.

The season officially kicks off, Aug. 21, when EMU welcomes 2015 Big East Champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier, Butler, to Scicluna Field. Eastern came up short in lasts season's tilt as the Bulldogs sent EMU home with a 3-0 setback.

Following the home opener, the Green and White hit the road for three consecutive contests. The first two take place in Minneapolis, Minn. as the Eagles tangle with Big Ten Conference opponents Iowa (Aug. 26) and Minnesota (Aug. 28). The road trip wraps up in Green Bay, Wis., where Eastern Michigan rematches with the Phoenix of Green Bay. EMU took last season's meeting by a final score of 2-1 as Kristin Nason capped the comeback with a goal in the 73rd-minute.

After a three-game road stint, the Eagles return to Scicluna Field for a four-game homestand to close out non-conference action. EMU hosts Loyola Chicago, Sept. 4, after shutting out the Ramblers 1-0 behind Kaylin Williams' clean sheet in her collegiate debut. Eastern welcomes Oregon State to Ypsilanti, Sept. 11, followed by matches against Illinois State (Sept. 16) and Detroit (Sept. 18). Last season, EMU drew even with ISU, 2-2, behind Nason's brace. The clash with the Titans marks the final non-conference contest for the Eagles as conference play begins the following weekend.

EMU opens MAC play on the road, as the Green and White trek west. Eastern lifts the lid on league play, Sept. 23, versus in-state rival, and 2015 MAC Tournament Champion, Western Michigan. From there, the Eagles head further west for another MAC West Division match up when they battle Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Ill., Sept. 25.

Continuing league play, Eastern Michigan returns to Scicluna Field for a pair of matches. First up, the Eagles close out the month of September against reigning MAC West Division Champion, Ball State (Sept. 30). The Cardinals topped EMU, 2-1, back in Muncie, Ind. last year. Then, on Sunday, EMU takes on its first MAC East Division opponent of the season in Miami, Oct. 2.

A quick trip to Bowling Green, Oct. 7, takes place just ahead of another three-game homestand for the Eagles. The trio of matches at Scicluna opens, Oct. 9, against Toledo, before MAC East foes Ohio (Oct. 14) and Kent State (Oct. 16) pay the Green and White a visit.
The final weekend of conference play sees the Green and White jaunt east for a battle with the Bulls of Buffalo, Oct. 21. From there, the Eagles circle back to Akron, Ohio for a match against the Zips.

EMU closes out the regular season at home, Oct. 27, against Central Michigan. The two squads played to a scoreless double-overtime draw in last season's clash in Mount Pleasant. If EMU finishes in the conference's top-eight, it will qualify for the MAC Tournament for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Quarterfinal action begins Oct. 30 at the home pitch of the higher seed. Semifinals and the championship game are then hosted by the highest remaining seed, Nov. 2 and Nov. 4, respectively.

After falling short of the postseason in 2015, the Eagles and Coach Hall will look to bounce back behind a mix of experienced upperclassmen and talented young players. EMU finished last season 5-11-3 overall, including a 2-7-2 mark in conference play.

2016 Schedule
Day        Date            Opponent                                Time
Fri.         Aug. 12       at Oakland (Exhibition)          7 p.m.
Sun.       Aug. 21       BUTLER                                  1 p.m.
Fri.      Aug. 26 vs. Iowa (Minneapolis, Minn.)   4:30 p.m.
Sun.       Aug. 28 at Minnesota                            2 p.m.
Fri.      Sept. 2 at UW-Green Bay                  TBA
Sun.     Sept. 4 LOYOLA CHICAGO                  1 p.m.
Sun.     Sept. 11 OREGON STATE                    1 p.m.
Fri.      Sept. 16 ILLINOIS STATE                  5 p.m.
Sun.       Sept. 18 DETROIT                               1 p.m.
Fri.      Sept. 23 at Western Michigan *                4 p.m.
Sun.       Sept. 25 at Northern Illinois *                    TBA
Fri.      Sept. 30 BALL STATE *                           5 p.m.
Sun.       Oct. 2 MIAMI *                                  1 p.m.
Fri.      Oct. 7 at Bowling Green *                      TBA
Sun.       Oct. 9 TOLEDO *                                  1 p.m.
Fri.   Oct. 14       OHIO *                                        4 p.m.
Sun.       Oct. 16       KENT STATE *                           1 p.m.
Fri.         Oct. 21       at Buffalo *                                TBA
Sun.       Oct. 23       at Akron *                                    1 p.m.
Thurs. Oct. 27       CENTRAL MICHIGAN *                3 p.m.
Sun.       Oct. 30       MAC Tournament Quarterfinals ! TBA
Fri.      Nov. 4 MAC Tournament Semifinals ! TBA
Sun.       Nov. 6 MAC Tournament Championship   TBA
Fri.-Sun. Nov. 11-13   NCAA First Round                         TBA
Fri.-Sun. Nov. 18-20   NCAA Second Round/Third Round TBA
Fri.-Sun. Nov. 25-27   NCAA Quarterfinal Round               TBA
Fri.-Sun.   Dec. 2-4 NCAA College Cup (Orlando, Fla.) TBA

*Mid-American Conference game
Home game in BOLD CAPS @ Scicluna Field
! - Top 8 teams qualify for the MAC Tournament

Players Mentioned

Kristin Hullibarger

Kaylin Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics