Soccer Set to Lift Lid on 2017 Season

Soccer vs. Illinois State \| at University of Illinois-Chicago
Date	Friday, Aug. 18 - 4 p.m. \| Sunday, Aug. 20 - 2 p.m.
Location	Ypsilanti, Mich. - Scicluna Field \| Chicago, Ill. - Flames Field
Game Notes	EMU Notes \| ISU Notes \| UIC Notes
Live Stats	vs. Illinois State \| vs. University of Illinois-Chicago
Twitter	@EMUSoccer \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team begins the 2017 campaign this weekend, Aug. 18-20, against Illinois State University and the University of Illinois-Chicago. The Green and White kick off the season with a 4 p.m. tilt against the Redbirds of ISU at Scicluna Field Friday, Aug. 18, before heading into the Windy City for a bout against the Flames Sunday, Aug. 20.
   Fans can follow the games via live stats through the links found on the soccer schedule page of EMUEagles.com. Additionally, the action on the pitch will be live tweeted from the team's account, @EMUSoccer.

THE ELDER STATESMAN: Entering his 19th season at the helm of the Eagles, Head Coach Scott Hall is the longest tenured women's soccer coach in the Mid-American Conference. Hall had been the second-longest tenured coach, but following Bobby Kramig's resignation after 34 years leading the Miami RedHawks, Aug. 4, Hall took over the top spot. Hall's three MAC Regular Season titles are tied atop the most in conference history.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH: Overall, the Eagles return a combined total of 15,232 career minutes, the fewest in the conference, spread amongst 13 veterans. Meanwhile, EMU will add 10 freshmen to the mix, representing the fifth-largest freshman class in the nation.

LID-LIFTERS ALL-TIME: In 20 seasons, Eastern Michigan has compiled an 11-5-5 record in season openers. EMU's most recent season-opening victory came in 2014 when Eastern shutout Fordham, 2-0, at Scicluna Field.

SERIES HISTORY: EMU is 4-4-1 against this weekend's competition all-time, including a 2-4-1 mark against the Redbirds of ISU and an unblemished 2-0-0 record against UIC.
   Most recently, Eastern squared off with Illinois State last season, Sept. 16, at Scicluna Field. Entering the half tied at one, the Redbirds handed the Eagles a 4-2 setback. EMU looks to notch its first win over Illinois State since 2010, when it blanked ISU, 1-nil. Since that match, the Eagles have gone 0-2-2 against the Redbirds.
   The Green and White's last clash with the Flames came back during the 2015 campaign, when EMU topped UIC by a score of 3-1. Then-redshirt freshman Kristin Nason's brace lifted the Eagles to the victory, as the Brooklin, Ontario native netted goals in the third and 18th minutes.

MAEDER MATCH: When the Redbirds pay a visit to Scicluna Field Friday, Aug. 18, they'll see a familar face on the Eagle sideline as EMU's first-year athletic trainer, Marissa Maeder, links the two schools together. Prior to beginning her post at Eastern, Maeder earned her undergraduate degree from Illinois State and spent her last semester as the student athletic trainer for the ISU women's soccer team.

NOBODY SAID IT WOULD BE EASY: Two of Eastern's first four opponents are coming off NCAA Tournament berths, making for early tests of EMU's young squad. The Eagles open against Illinois State, last season's Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Champions, who advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating Michigan in PK's. Then, after taking on UIC, EMU closes out the second weekend of non-conference play against ASUN Tournament Champion, Florida Gulf Coast.

HEADING HOME: With the Eagles heading to the Land of Lincoln for their second game of the season, freshman Madeline Olson will enjoy a homecoming of sorts. A native of Libertyville, Ill., Olson's hometown is just 40 miles northwest of Flames Field.

THREE'S COMPANY: With the addition of Chelsea Abbotts the Green and White's roster includes three goalkeepers for the first time since 2013 when Megan McCabe, Jenna O'Dell, and Anna Vess patrolled between the posts. Kaylin Williams, a Second Team All-MAC selection in 2016, is back for her junior season, while Mabel Dunn returns with a year of work with Dan Diac under her belt.

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: Leading the Eagles as captains this season will be Alex Wilbanks, Kristin Nason, and Kaylin Williams. It marks the first time Wilbanks and Williams will serve as captains, while Nason is back for the second consecutive season.

SHE'S BAAAAACK: After being knocked out of the 2016 campaign after sustaining a season-ending injury in the 68th minute of EMU's season opener last year, Kristin Nason is healthy and ready to make a difference in 2017. The Brooklyn, Ontario native and 2015 MAC All-Freshman Team selection was the team's top goal scorer two seasons ago.

ALL-MAC DUO SET FOR 2017: Despite the loss of a large senior class, Head Coach Scott Hall's squad returns a pair of All-MAC honorees from a season ago. Entering her third season overall, and second as the team's starting keeper, Kaylin Williams is coming off a season in which she was named Second Team All-MAC. At forward, the Eagles return MAC Freshman of the Year, Sabrina McNeill, who ranked second on the team in both goals (4) and points (11) a year ago.

JUST MAKE US AN HONORARY HORIZON LEAGUE MEMBER: Sunday's match against the Flames of the University of Illinois-Chicago marks the first of four clashes with Horizon League opponents for the Green and White. In addition to this weekend's tilt versus UIC, EMU will take on Detroit Mercy, Oakland, and Youngstown State.

McNEILL CALLED OUT: In its Mid-American Conference preview, released Aug. 15, TopDrawerSoccer.Com identified EMU's Sabrina McNeill as a player to watch this season. McNeill, who netted four goals and added three assists as a 'true freshman', is one of five sophomores to make the list.

OLSON AND SHIRA NAMED TEAMSNAP ALL-STATE STARS: TopDrawerSoccer.com released the 2017 TeamSnap All-State Stars, July 21, and a pair of EMU freshmen made the list. Madeline Olson was named to the All-Illinois squad, while Lindsey Shira was honored as a member of the All-Michigan Stars.

FOLLOW THE ACTION ALL SEASON LONG: Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUSoccer and @EMUAthletics on Twitter for all of the latest EMU soccer updates. Be sure to use the hashtag #EMUEagles.

UP NEXT: Eastern Michigan returns to action next weekend, Aug. 25-27, in the Sunshine State. There, the Eagles will take on tournament-host Florida Atlantic, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m., before wrapping up the weekend with a neutral site clash with Florida Gulf Coast, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m.

MAC PRESEASON POLL: Coming off their 13th Mid-American Conference Tournament appearance under Head Coach Scott Hall, the Eagles were selected to finish fourth in the MAC West Division. Additionally, EMU was one of six squads to reel in a MAC Tournament Champion vote.

East Division	West Division
1. Kent State (10)	1. Ball State (7)
2. Buffalo (2)	2. Central Michigan (3)
3. Miami	3. Western Michigan (1)
4. Ohio	4. Eastern Michigan
5. Akron	5. Northern Illinois (1)
6. Bowling Green	6. Toledo

Tournament Champion: Ball State (4), Central Michigan (3), Kent State (2), Eastern Michigan (1), Northern Illinois (1), Buffalo (1)

Soccer vs. Illinois State \| at University of Illinois-Chicago
Date	Friday, Aug. 18 - 4 p.m. \| Sunday, Aug. 20 - 2 p.m.
Location	Ypsilanti, Mich. - Scicluna Field \| Chicago, Ill. - Flames Field
Game Notes	EMU Notes \| ISU Notes \| UIC Notes
Live Stats	vs. Illinois State \| vs. University of Illinois-Chicago
Twitter	@EMUSoccer \| @EMUAthletics

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Players Mentioned

Chelsea Abbotts

Mabel Dunn

Kristin Hullibarger

Sabrina McNeill

Madeline Olson

Lindsey Shira

Alex Wilbanks

Kaylin Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics