Eastern Michigan University scored first but couldn’t maintain its lead Friday in a Mid-American Conference semifinal, as Miami scored twice in the second half to secure a 2-1 victory in Mount Pleasant on the campus of Central Michigan University.
Ashley Rodrigues had her 10th goal at the 51:28 mark, on an assist by Carissa Wilson, to give EMU a 1-0 lead.
Miami tied the score on a penalty kick by Allison Berkey at 64:45 and added the winner on Sara Lund’s header nearly six minutes later.
Mona Budani started and made five saves.
Rodrigues had a scoring chance late, but Krista Pace, who made four saves, came away with a big one to end EMU’s season at 11-4-6.
Miami was the only conference team to defeat the Eagles, and it did so twice.
CMU defeated Miami, 1-0, in the championship game Sunday.
Women’s cross country competes at Toledo Open
Rachel Quaintance and Rachel Hollinger-Janzen led the women’s cross country team in its final meet of the regular season Friday at the Toledo Rocket Open in Toledo, Ohio.
Quaintance finished third with a time of 18:17, and Rachel Hollinger-Janzen was fourth (18:21). University of Michigan’s Mary Grace Pellegrini won (17:43).
“It was a good day for us,” EMU coach Sue Parks said in a release. “The course was fast, the weather was perfect, and the girls were ready to compete.
“I’m especially happy for Rachel Quaintance, as she has worked very hard all season long, and it finally clicked for her in this race. I think that she will now have the confidence to be a strong contributor to the team at regionals.”
The Great Lakes regional is to begin Saturday in Terre Haute, Ind. on the campus of Indiana State University.
Women split, men nab a win in swim action
The women’s swimming and diving team was busy over the weekend, as it faced off against Buffalo and Akron.
The Eagles (3-2, 2-2) dropped their first contest Friday against Buffalo, 166-128. Briana Emig had three first-place finishes in the 200-, 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle.
EMU bounced back Saturday with a 158-142 win over Akron. Sheila Carson won the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
Sarah Kowalski took wins in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
The men’s swimming and diving team won Friday, defeating Buffalo, 180-120.
Troy Esentan won the 500 and 1,000 freestyle. Jacob Hanson, Scott Murphy, Owen Grey and Matt Zavislak teamed tow win the 400-medley relay (3:25.02).
The EMU teams are to host Purdue on Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (noon).
Volleyball goes distance in weekend matches
Facing two conference teams, the volleyball team split over the weekend on the road.
The Eagles (5-25, 4-10) defeated Ball State on Friday in five games (13-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-27, 19-17). Jennifer Swartz had 17 kills and two blocks.
Another five-game match didn’t bode well on Saturday, as EMU lost to Toledo (17-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-25, 16-18).
Rachel Iaquaniello had 19 kills and 16 digs.
EMU will host Northern Illinois on Friday, and Western Michigan University Satruday. Both matches are to start at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
Compiled by staff writer Ryan Remstad.
