Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Central Michigan
Eagles and Chippewas Battle to 2-2 Tie
10/30/2008 6:47:29 PM | Soccer
EMU hosts first round tournament game Sunday, Nov. 2 against Northern Illinois
Click here for MAC Tournament Bracket
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – After falling behind 2-0 in the first half, the Eastern Michigan University soccer team was able to net two goals in the second half to earn a 2-2 tie against Central Michigan University, Thursday, Oct. 30 at the CMU Soccer Complex. With the tie, the Eagles have earned the No. 3 seed for the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament and will host Northern Illinois University, Sunday Nov. 2, at 1 p.m.
The Eagles wrap up the regular season with a record of 11-4-5 while sporting a 6-2-3 MAC mark. Central moved to 11-4-3 on the season with an identical conference record of 6-2-3. The in-state rivals tied for second place in the conference, but Central received the No. 2 seed by having a better record against higher finishing MAC schools.
EMU struggled out of the gates, giving up two first half goals to the Chippewas. CMU put both goals on the board in a span of two minutes, putting the home team in front by two goals in the 21st minute of the first half.
The Eagles did not panic in the second half, as they cut the lead in half less than three minutes into the second frame. Katie Lozar (Broadview Heights, Ohio-Brecksville) was able to knock a Stephanie Janssens’ (Novi, Mich.-Novi) corner kick past the keeper, bringing the Eagles within a goal.
The two teams tightened up defensively for the next 35 minutes, with neither team able to find the back of the net. EMU was finally able to knot the score at 2-2 in the 85th minute when Janssens found Ashley Rodrigues (Pickering, Ont.-St. Mary’s Catholic) behind the Chippewa defense. Rodrigues was able to get it past the keeper, tying the score and ultimately sending the game into overtime.
Both teams had a shot on goal in the first overtime, but each goalie rose to the challenge, sending the game into a second extra session. CMU got a shot off in the second overtime, but keeper Mona Budani (Whitby, Ont.-Sinclair Secondary) made the save, ending the game in a 2-2 draw. Budani got the nod in goal for EMU, making seven saves while allowing two goals on the afternoon.
The Eagles return to action Sunday, Nov. 2, when they host a first round MAC Tournament game against No. 6 NIU. Kick off is slated for 1 p.m. at Scicluna Field.
