Soccer Readies for FAU adidas Owl Challenge

Soccer at FAU adidas Owl Challenge
Date	Friday, Aug. 25 - 7:30 p.m. \| Sunday, Aug. 27 - 11 a.m.
Location	Boca Raton, Fla. - Varsity Field
Game Notes	EMU Notes \| FAU Notes \| FGCU Notes
Live Stats	vs. Florida Atlantic \| vs. Florida Gulf Coast
Live Stream	vs. Florida Atlantic ($$)
Twitter	@EMUSoccer \| @EMUAthletics

BOCA RATON, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team continues its four-game road trip this weekend, Aug. 25-27, as the Eagles head to Boca Raton, Fla. for the FAU adidas Owl Challenge. EMU kicks off the weekend with a 7:30 p.m. match under the lights against tournament host Florida Atlantic. The Green and White then wrap up the weekend against Florida Gulf Coast Sunday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m.
Fans can follow the games via live stats through the links found on the soccer schedule page of EMUEagles.com. A live stream will be provided for EMU's game against FAU Friday night will be available for a small fee. Additionally, the action on the pitch will be live tweeted from the team's account, @EMUSoccer.

EMU IN THE SUNSHINE STATE: The Eagles will soar to the Sunshine State this weekend, marking the first trip to Florida since the 2008 campaign. That season, Eastern went up against Miami and Florida Atlantic. After falling to the Canes, 1-nil, the Eagles bounced back with a 2-1 victory over the Owls.

SERIES HISTORY: Eastern holds a 2-1-0 record against this weekend's FAU adidas Owl Challenge opponents, having only tangled with Florida Atlantic previously. Sunday's match against FGCU will mark the first meeting between the two squads.
The Eagles and Owls met back during the 2008 season, the Green and White's last trip to Florida. Eastern came away with a 2-1 victory, Sept. 14, 2008, as Stephanie Janssens and Deana Kinter scored over a five-minute span early in the second half.

FREDERICK'S GOLAZO: Freshman Alia Frederick recorded the first goal of her career in EMU's win over UIC, Aug. 20. Fellow freshman Madeline Olson secured possession 10 yards outstide the box and slotted a pass to Sabrina McNeill who quickly led Frederick on a run. Taking a touch at the corner of the 18, Frederick curled a shot inside the far post for the game-winning goal. Netting the first goal of her career in just her second game, Frederick is the quickest to do so since Angela Vultaggio notched her first goal in the first match of her career back in 2011.

McNEILL THE MAGNIFICENT: Reigning MAC Freshman of the Year Sabrina McNeill picked up right where she left off to start the 2017 season, going off for two goals and an assist for five points over opening weekend. McNeill tallied EMU's lone goal in a double-overtime draw versus Illinois State, Aug. 18, before scoring a goal and assisting on the game-winner as Eastern topped Illinois-Chicago, 2-1, Aug. 20. Her five points are the second-most of any player in the conference and 39th-most in the country.

SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!: EMU tallied a season-high 22 shots in its 2-1 victory of UIC, Aug. 20. In addition to outshooting the Flames, 22-16, the Eagles posted their most shots since Oct. 2, 2016, when they registered 23 against Miami.

GETTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT: With two games in the books, Eastern Michigan is off to its best start since the 2014 season when it knocked of Fordham and Indiana, 2-0, in back-to-back matches.

FRESHMEN GET FIRST TASTE OF ACTION: With one of the largest freshman classes in the country, it is no surprise that several earned playing time in EMU's first two games of the season. Freshmen Alia Frederick and Madeline Olson started Eastern's season opener, while a total of seven freshmen made an appearance in the match. Lindsey Shira notched the first start of her career Sunday, Aug. 20, while a total of eight newcomers provided Hall's squad with quality minutes.

...NEXT!: Head Coach Scott Hall used nearly every weapon at his disposal over opening weekend. In a double overtime draw versus Illinois State, 18 players earned minutes, while 20 players garnered time on the pitch against Illinois-Chicago.

STACKING UP IN THE MAC: Through two games, the Eagles find themselves atop the Mid-American Conference statistical rankings. EMU's 34 shots, and 17.0 shots per contest, lead the league, while the Green and White are tied for third in points (9), tied for second in goals (3), and assists (3). Meanwhile, Eastern has also been the most aggressive team in the conference, racking up 21 fouls.

OFFSIDES OFFENDERS: Eastern Michigan was whistled offsides 11 times over opening weekend, the most of any team in the Mid-American Conference. In fact, the Eagles were called offsides nine times in their season opener against Illinois State, Aug. 18. EMU's nine miscues against ISU alone would rank second in the league.

SHOWING OUT FOR THE HOMETOWN CROWD: Madeline Olson, a native of Libertyville, Ill., came through in the clutch for the Eagles Sunday, Aug. 20, against Illinois-Chicago. Settling the ball outside the 18, Olson asissted on Alia Frederick's game-winning tally in front of her family and friends for the first point of her career.

ON THE HORIZON: Following this weekend's trip to Florida for the FAU adidas Owl Challenge, the Green and White wrap up a four-game road trip with a visit to Indianapolis, Ind. There, EMU tangles with Butler University under the lights at Varsity Field. Kickoff between the Eagles and Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m.

?? | @EMUSoccer Head Coach Scott Hall recaps opening weekend and looks ahead to the FAU adidas Owl Challenge #EMUEagles pic.twitter.com/tArOuzdp9E
— EMU Athletics (@EMUAthletics) August 23, 2017

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Players Mentioned

Alia Frederick

Sabrina McNeill

Madeline Olson

Lindsey Shira

Eastern Michigan Athletics