The Eastern Michigan University women’s soccer team was defeated 1-0 by the University of Detroit-Mercy on Thursday afternoon, after a goal was scored in the 89th minute by the Titans.
The Eagles (2-4-1) were incapable of capitalizing on multiple scoring chances throughout the game, which allowed the Titans (3-4) to keep the game level until the closing seconds of the match where they took advantage of a free kick to hand the Eagles their fourth loss of the season.
Redshirt freshman Kristin Nason once again made her presence known in the attacking third for the Eagles, settling the ball down and then crossing the ball to give senior Megan Trapp a great look on goal, but the shot was put wide.
The match was very close through the rest of the first half and the game was played in a majority through the midfield, without either team being able to get an advantage on the other and ending the first half at a goalless draw.
The Titans took a page out of the Eagles book at the beginning of the second half, when a free kick 10 yards outside of the box threatened the Eagles defense and goalkeeper Megan McCabe. The shot from the free kick was put directly into the wall, before the rebound found the foot of a Detroit forward who fired a shot on goal, forcing a save out of McCabe. The Titans were then awarded a corner, which was cleared easily by the Eagles defense.
Progressing directly from the clearing of the corner began a counterattack which lead to a cannon of a shot from junior Stef Barcelos, but the ball went right into Detroit goalkeeper Claudia Eustaquio’s hands, who earned her first collegiate shutout against the Eagles.
After the 70th minute it was Eastern Michigan who controlled the ball, the midfield and the attacking opportunities, but were unable to capitalize on 3 corners and multiple free kicks in the attacking third.
In the 80th minute the Titans were awarded a free kick just outside the box. A defensive miscommunication left Detroit midfielder Molly Kane wide open, who easily headed the ball past McCabe, giving the Titans a 1-0 lead with 10 minutes left.
The Eagles pressed hard for the last 10 minutes of the game, but headers by senior Hallee Kansmann and a shot from junior Ellie Tillar were saved by Eustaquio.
Thursday night’s match marked the return of McCabe to the starting lineup, who made way for freshman goalkeeper Kaylin Williams over the last 3 games. Despite making three saves and conceding one goal on the night, McCabe earned her fourth loss on the season.
Looking Forward
The Eagles will attempt to gain some traction, and a win, at home against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Sep. 10 before starting its Mid-American Conference schedule against Ball State University on Sep. 25.
