Eastern Michigan’s Women’s soccer team split its final two non-conference matches this week with a 1-0 win over the University of Connecticut and a 1-6 loss to the University of Massachusetts. The loss to UMass ends a 4 game winning streak but EMU ended their non-conference schedule with a final record of 5-4.
EMU’s match with UConn on Friday, September 14th, was a heated affair. The match was highlighted by strong defensive play but EMU inevitably found an edge. In 42nd minute of the match, Sabrina McNeill scored her third goal of the season off of a 20 yard free kick to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. This lead stuck through the entire second half as goalkeeper Kaylin Williams kept a clean sheet and shutout the Huskies. Williams blocked six shots on the match to secure her team the victory. With the win, EMU moved to two games above .500 and advanced their win streak to four heading into their Sunday showdown with UMass.
The match with UMass unfortunately was dominated by UMass. After only scoring once in the first half, UMass exploded in the second scoring five of their six goals. Following three unanswered goals, EMU responded with one of their own off the foot of Marla Cobetto. Cobetto headed the ball past the keeper off an assist from Kylie Frantz in the 73rd minute. This goal seemed to upset the UMass offense. They scored three more times before the final whistle was blown. Goalkeeper Kaylin Williams was removed from the game following her third goal allowed but replacement Mabel Dunn wasn’t able to turn the tides. The EMU defense struggled to contain UMass and lost by a final score of 6-1.
After a pair of tough matches on the road EMU returns to Scicluna Field to kickoff the MAC season. Kent State travels to EMU on Friday, September 21st and the University of Ohio will pay a visit on Sunday, September 23rd.
