Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
6-11-1, 3-6-0MAC
Northern Illinois
8-7-1, 5-4-0MAC
Wilbanks Scores in Senior Day Win Over NIU
10/22/2017 3:10:00 PM | Soccer
Alex Wilbanks registered her first goal of the season
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University soccer team kept its postseason hope alive with a 1-0 Senior Day win over Northern Illinois University Sunday, Oct. 22, at Scicluna Field. The Eagles (7-11-1, 4-6-0 MAC) posted their fourth shutout of the season and their second in as many games.
Junior goalkeeper Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka) made two saves in the match en route to her 10th career clean sheet. Additionally, the third-year netminder joined Megan McCabe, Nikki Allen, and Monique Budani as the only Eagle keepers to post back-to-back shutouts three-or-more times in a career.
Eastern Michigan garnered a free kick on the near side, just five yards outside the 18 midway through the first period. Freshman Madeline Olson (Libertyville, Ill.-Libertyville) stepped to the restart and put a dipping cross to the far post. Working through traffic, senior Alex Wilbanks (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln) got enough of a foot on it for her first goal of the season. The 28th minute strike marked the second goal of Wilbanks' career, while she became the 12th Eagle to score this season.??NO GOAL PATROL ??
— EMU Soccer (@EMUSoccer) October 22, 2017
With a shutout today, her fourth of the season, @Kaylin_Wlliams has 10 career clean sheets. #EMUEagles #MACtion pic.twitter.com/2Ffeu4r16T
For the half, the Eagles outshot the Huskies 7-2, as the defense held NIU without a shot on goal for the entire period.
Northern Illinois stepped things up a notch on attack in the second half, tallying five shots, two of which were on frame in the final 45 minutes of play. Despite the strong push from the Huskies, Willams was up to the task, making two saves to preserve the 1-nil victory.
At halftime, the Eagles honored seniors Chanel Vani (Brampton, Ontario-Cardinal Leger) and Wilbanks. Playing their last game at Scicluna Field, Vani and Wilbanks were members of the 2014 MAC West Division Champion team and have accounted for five assists and two goals over the course of their careers.
Eastern Michigan continues its fight for the postseason Thursday, Oct. 26, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. against in-state rival Central Michigan University. Kickoff of the regular season finale between the Eagles and Chippewas is scheduled for 3 p.m.
?? Postgame thoughts with @Kaylin_Wlliams and @alex_wilbanks21 following a 1-0 senior day win over NIU! #EMUEagles #MACtion pic.twitter.com/UPjMsVoRsO
— EMU Soccer (@EMUSoccer) October 22, 2017
Team Stats
WILBANKS,ALEX (1)
Assisted By: OLSON,MADELINE
Free kick to far post kicked in by 21
26:52
