Secora Johnson (Galena, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) picked a fine time to score her first goal of the 2024 season as the Eastern Michigan University soccer team played Western Michigan University to a 1-1 draw on Sunday, Oct. 13 at Scicluna Field.
The junior midfielder's left-footed kick in the penalty box during the 86th minute helped Eastern Michigan equalize the score in a game that looked bleak for the Eagles if it wasn’t for their outstanding defense throughout the early portions of the match.
Western Michigan scored 15 shots on goal and 12 corner kicks during the first half. Still, Ella Holland (Dunwoody, Georgia/Dunwoody/Samford) maintained her composure in the net, making seven saves total and keeping the Broncos scoreless until the 81st minute despite the barrage of shots coming her way.
While Eastern Michigan only took five shots all game, the Eagles made them count. Johnson’s goal was a swift answer to Western Michigan’s only score of the day, drawing the match even at 1-1, which is how it would stay the rest of the way.
Johnson’s score was also her first in two years. The goal was pivotal in extending the Eagles’ streak of seven straight home matches without losing to open a campaign, the school's longest streak in nearly 25 years.
The draw was the first between the teams since 2010. Eastern Michigan moved to a 5-5-4 record (1-2-4 MAC) on the campaign, while Western Michigan’s record now stands at 7-1-6 (4-0-2 MAC).
The Eagles will return to action later this week on Friday, Oct. 18, for a 2 p.m. road matchup with Northern Illinois, hoping to continue their hot start to the season. For more updates on Eastern Michigan soccer and other sports, follow The Eastern Echo.
