The Eastern Michigan University women’s soccer team has yet to find its first win of the season after losing to visiting Kent State 2-1 on Friday, September 30 and taking a 2-2 tie with Buffalo on Sunday, October 2.
EMU returned home after coming off two road losses to Ohio and Akron. Both games were shutouts for the opponents and extended the Eagles’ scoreless streak to five games.
Eastern Michigan took on Kent State at Scicluna Field Friday with a soggy field and a cold, driving wind. The Golden Flashes entered with a 7-3 overall record with a 1-1 record in the MAC. The first half was highlighted with tough defense from both teams with KSU ending the half outshooting EMU 9-2 and a scoreless half.
The scoring got going in the 50th minute after Kent State defender Sarah Henderson scoring her first goal of the season from a corner kick. Bianca Rossi ended Eastern Michigan’s scoreless streak with a goal in the 86th minute to tie the game at one goal apiece. The goal was the second of the season for Rossi as she got the ball off a KSU rebound and scored.
Overtime loomed closer but KSU sophomore forward Jaclyn Dutton scored her fifth goal of the 2011 campaign just over a minute from Rossi’s goal. The final score was 2-1 and another tough loss for the Eagles. But Coach Scott Hall saw plenty of bright spots from the outcome.
“We definitely have the ability to score a goal; we have the kids to do it,” said Hall. “It’s just a matter of confidence to do so.”
“We jelled together and had way more chances and we could have had that game,” added sophomore forward Stephanie Clarke.
The final home game of the weekend home stand took place on Sunday against the visiting Buffalo Bulls. Buffalo entered with an 8-2-1 record and a chance to overpower Eastern Michigan. It was Buffalo that got the scoring started after junior midfielder Taylor Thompson scored just three minutes into the game. Almost six minutes later, Buffalo scored an own goal, putting the Eagles ahead 2-1. The Bulls redeemed themselves when Aubrey Stahl scored top shelf from 10 yards out to tie the game at two goals.
The second half started with the Eastern Michigan putting shots on goal and getting some chances but with no success. At the end of the half, the score was still tied at 2-2. Two ten minute overtimes were still not enough to settle the score with the game being declared a 2-2 draw, Eastern Michigan’s first draw since the season opener against Pittsburgh. Even with the tie, the team is feeling positive about the outcome.
“We’re still creating good chances,” Coach Hall said. “Now I think this is starting to build momentum for us.”
Eastern Michigan ended the game with 33 shots, the most shots in a game this season. Both teams made eight saves. The two goals from Bianca Rossi this weekend now put her in a tie for team goals with Angela Vultaggio.
The women’s soccer team will look to secure their first win of the season when they travel to Bowling Green to take on the Falcons on Oct. 7. The next home game for the Eagles will take place Sunday Oct. 9 against the Miami Redhawks with kickoff at 1 p.m.
