Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
6-11-1, 3-6-0MAC
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Western Michigan
8-7-1, 3-5-1MAC
Balanced Attack and Williams' Clean Sheet Lead EMU Past WMU 3-0
10/19/2017 6:16:00 PM | Soccer
Kaylin Williams tied a career-high with 10 saves
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University soccer team totaled a season-high 10 points on three goals and four assists in a 3-0 win over Western Michigan University Thursday, Oct. 19, at Scicluna Field. The victory snapped a three-game losing skid and gave EMU (6-11-1, 3-6-0 MAC) its first win over WMU (8-7-1, 3-5-1 MAC) since the 2014 season.
Despite being outshot by the Broncos, 29-11, a pair of Eastern goals in the opening half and an insurance tally in the second period sealed the victory. Leading the offensive charge were redshirt junior Kristin Nason (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) and junior Peyton Davis (North Ridgeville, Ohio-Holy Name) who each notched a goal and added a helper. Nason's three-point effort put her career total at 20 points, making her the first Eagle to achieve the feat since Ellie Tillar did so last season. Davis' goal was her team-leading fourth of the season, while freshman Madeline Olson's (Libertyville, Ill.-Libertyville) 23rd minute strike stood as the game-winner and her third of the season.
Facing a career-high 29 shots, junior goalkeeper Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka) allowed nothing past her, for her third shutout of the season and the ninth of her career. Williams tied her career-high in saves with 10 stops. Her career total now sits at 232, moving her past Megan McCabe for sixth in EMU laurels.
The Broncos kept the Eagles' defense busy in the first stanza, outshooting them 15-5, but Williams and the EMU defense stood strong. Putting plenty of pressure on the WMU attackers, the Eastern forced Western to settle for shots outside the 18 and held WMU to just four shots on goal in the first period.
Following a flurry of chances by Broncos, the Eagles got off running on a counter. Running down the far side, Nason slipped a pass to the feet of Olson in the middle of the field. Possessing it in stride, Olson was left 1-on-1 with the WMU keeper and snuck a shot inside the post, putting the Green and White in front 1-nil in the 23rd minute.
Keeping the momentum in its favor, Eastern Michigan kept Western's defense on its toes. Uncorking a couple of shots, the Eagles cashed in on an offensive opportunity in the 39th minute after a pair of offsides calls and spoiled chances. Senior Chanel Vani (Brampton, Ontario-Cardinal Leger) crossed the ball across the box to Davis, who one-touched a pass to Nason. The Brooklin, Ontario native drilled it into the right corner of the net, her second of the season.
The Broncos continued to rack up their shot count coming out of the break, fighting to cut into the Eagles' lead, but none got past Williams.
Eastern Michigan tacked on an insurance tally in the 83rd minute, pushing the score to 3-0. Freshman Marla Cobetto (Trenton, Mich.-Trenton) got the ball with space on the nearside, and rather than ripping a shot, elected to drop a pass back to Davis at the top of the six. Taking one touch, Davis put a shot out of the reach of the WMU keeper to seal a 3-nil win.
The Eagles return to Scicluna Field Sunday, Oct. 22, to face Northern Illinois University for Senior Day. Action is slated to begin at 1 p.m., while the Green and White will recognize the careers of Chanel Vani and Alex Wilbanks during halftime.
Kristin Nason, Kaylin Williams, and Peyton Davis discuss @EMUSoccer's 3-0 win over Western Michigan! #EMUEagles #MACtion pic.twitter.com/sItbDUqZ4Y
— EMU Athletics (@EMUAthletics) October 19, 2017
#ICYMI | Kristin Nason became the latest member of the 20-point club with a goal and an assist in today's 3-0 win! #EMUEagles #MACtion pic.twitter.com/uo63b8drSS
— EMU Soccer (@EMUSoccer) October 20, 2017
Team Stats
OLSON,MADELINE (3)
Assisted By: NASON,KRISTIN
Assist from 11, shot past goalie
22:50
NASON,KRISTIN (2)
Assisted By: DAVIS,PEYTON , VANI,CHANEL
Shot deflected in far post
38:02
DAVIS,PEYTON (4)
Assisted By: COBETTO,MARLA
cross to middle 18 shot, goal
82:03
