Women's Soccer Welcomes First Day of Conference Action
Friday Scoreboard
Ball State 2, Toledo 0
Eastern Michigan 2, Kent State 0
Bowling Green 2, Miami 0
Western Michigan 1, Akron 0
Central Michigan 1, Ohio 0
Buffalo 5, Northern Illinois 0
Stories Courtesy of MAC Sports Information
Ball State 2, Toledo 0
Box Score
MUNCIE, Ind. – Lauren Roll headed in a corner kick in the first half and Julia Elvbo headed in a goal of her own in the second, and the Ball State University soccer team opened its Mid-American Conference slate with a 2-0 win over Toledo on Friday night at Briner Sports Complex.
The Cardinals improved to 5-1-1 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play while the Rockets fell to 4-4-1 and 0-1-0 in the MAC.
"Obviously it's very important to open conference play with a win. Toledo is a good team, so it was a big win for us," said head coach Craig Roberts. "We did some really good things tonight. There's still a lot we can improve on and we'll address those things before Sunday's game, but overall I was pleased with our efforts."
Ball State wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Roll headed in a corner kick from Paula Guerrero in the 11th minute to give the Cardinals the early 1-0 lead. Guerrero's assist made it two-straight matches with a helper for the senior.
The BSU defense took over from there as they held Toledo to just five shots on the night and only two on goal. Goalkeeper Tristin Stuteville saved both of the shots she faced. The Rockets applied more pressure in the second half as they looked for an equalizer, but Elvbo headed in Allison Abbe's cross to give the Cardinals an insurance goal in the 86th minute. Elvbo made it her second-straight match with a goal off a header.
Overall, Ball State outshot Toledo 14 to five with seven shots on goal total. The Cardinals were also awarded five corners as opposed to just two for the Rockets.
"We've been working a lot on attacking but more specifically finishing, so it was nice to see those goals go in," Roberts said. "Bowling Green presents a whole new challenge on Sunday, so hopefully we can be prepared to earn a similar result."
The Cardinals now prepare to welcome Bowling Green to town on Sunday. The match will kick at 2:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN .
Eastern Michigan 2, Kent State 0
Box Score
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Redshirt junior Kristin Nason's (Brooklin, Ontario-Donald A. Wilson) brace lifted the Eastern Michigan University soccer team past Kent State University, 2-nil, in its Mid-American Conference-opener Friday evening, Sept. 21, at Scicluna Field. With strikes in the 71st and 82nd minutes, Nason became the first Eagle to net multiple goals in a game since 2016.
Senior Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka) turned in perhaps her best performance of the season to lead the Eagles defensive efforts. Playing all 90 minutes, Williams became the EMU record holder for minutes played, while tying a season-high with seven saves. The Kansas City, Mo. native's second clean sheet of the year gave Eastern its third of the season.
Williams and the Green and White's aggressive backline gave the Golden Flashes' fits and left the game scoreless at the break. Kent held the upperhand in shots, 10-8, midway through, but put just two on frame over the course of the first 45 minutes of play.
In the second half, Williams and company continued to answer each KSU chance to maintain the 0-0 tie before Nason broke through for the game-winner. Sophomore Lindsey Shira (New Baltimore, Mich.-Anchor Bay) delivered a beauty of a service and Nason redirected it home to put the Eagles in front, 1-0, in the 71st minute.
A free kick set up Eastern for an insurance goal in the 82nd minute and Nason did not miss, as she ripped a shot from 25 yards out to double EMU's advantage and all-but secure the 2-nil victory.
Eastern Michigan continues the conference play Sunday, Sept. 23, when the Eagles host the Bobcats of Ohio University. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Scicluna Field.
Bowling Green 2, Miami 0
Box Score
OXFORD, Ohio -- Junior Chelsee Washington scored less than two minutes into the match as the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team picked up a 2-0 road win over the University of Miami Friday afternoon (Sept. 21). The match, the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams, was held at a breezy Miami Soccer Field.
Redshirt sophomore Nikki Cox doubled BG's lead in the 71st minute.
Washington had three points on the day, with a goal and an assist, and she hit the crossbar with another shot. She has 10 points on the season, including nine over her last three games.
Washington's match-opening goal came on a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box, and Washington and junior Maureen Kennedy assisted on the Cox goal.
The latter goal came when Kennedy put her corner kick into the center of the box. Washington headed it down, directly onto the foot of Cox for a one-time finish.
Junior Kathleen Duwve made one save as she and the BGSU defense picked up the shutout.
The Falcons had advantages of 18-7 in total shot attempts, 8-1 in shots on goal and 9-3 in corner kicks in Friday afternoon's win.
Western Michigan 1, Akron 0
Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan women's soccer team scored a minute and a half into overtime to claim a 1-0 victory over the University of Akron during the 2018 Mid-American Conference opener Friday, Sept. 21 at WMU Soccer Complex.
After 90 minutes of play, neither team found the back of the net despite WMU holding an 18-8 shot advantage over the visiting Zips. However, it took the home team just a minute and 35 seconds into the overtime frame to capitalize on just their second corner kick of the match.
Freshman midfielder Victoria Kyriakopoulos finished on the Grace Labadie corner kick for the game-winning goal, an exciting tally for her first in Brown & Gold.
"It was definitely awesome for my first goal," said Kyriakopoulos. "It was kind of frustrating because so many people had close chances all game, so it was good to finally put one away in the back of the net."
Western Michigan maintained the majority of scoring opportunities throughout the first two periods, headlined by a season-high seven shots from Alyssa Burke and a quality chance in the final minute of regulation in which Grace Labadie had a great look inside the box but had shots blocked and saved.
"They are a pretty relentless group, so we were confident going into overtime that something was eventually going to fall our way," said head coach Sarah Stanczyk.
Goalkeeper Hannah Sargent improved her record to 7-2 on the season while recording her second shutout. The Bronco defense made her job easy, disallowing any Akron shots on goal.
The Broncos (7-2-0, 1-0-0 MAC) continue conference play this Sunday, Sept. 23 at WMU Soccer Complex as they host Buffalo at 1 p.m.
Central Michigan 1, Ohio 0
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Marle Bringardscored with just 18 seconds remaining in overtime on Friday, lifting the Central Michigan soccer team to a dramatic 1-0 victory over Ohio in the Chippewas' Mid-American Conference opener at the CMU Soccer Stadium.
The Chippewas, who have won two of their last three games, improved to 3-6. Ohio is 2-5-1.
"What a game to kick off the MAC, really exciting, really competitive and intense all the way until the end," CMU coach Peter McGaheysaid. "I could not be prouder of our team. I thought the energy, the grit, the fight tonight from our team, despite the conditions, was really fun to watch."
WHAT HAPPENED
The Chippewas created several chances in the first half despite going against the strong wind, outshooting the Bobcats 6-2, including three shots on goal.
CMU continued to press, registering eight corner opportunities in the second half alone but the Chippewas could not find the back of the net until Bringard scored, depositing the ball past the goalkeeper off a scramble in front of the net.
BRINGARD IS CLUTCH
Bringard's first goal of the season proved to be an important one, and it was the fourth game-winner of her career.
As a sophomore, the Midland native scored the game-winning goal against Detroit Mercy. As a freshman she scored the game-winners against both Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan.
Bringard had five points a season ago and nine points in 2016.
Buffalo 5, Northern Illinois 0
Box Score
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's soccer team (7-1-0, 1-0-0 MAC) used a season-best five second half goals to earn their seventh straight victory and open Mid-American Conference play with the dominant 5-0 victory over Northern Illinois on the road on Friday night.
The Bulls scored three goals within 53 seconds early in the second half, marking the quickest three goals scored in a match in the NCAA since 2005 when Notre Dame netted three goals in 51 seconds.
