Offensive woes plague women’s soccer

Senior Ellie Lind controls the ball in a recent game against Randolph Macon. She has accounted for half of the total goals scored this season.

The Lady Royals’ soccer team has had some problems generating offense lately. In the season opener, EMU scored four times in breezing by North Carolina Wesleyan, but have scored only that same number of goals in the four games since then.

EMU currently ranks near the bottom of The Old Dominion Athletic Conference in five offensive category. The Lady Royals did play a rain-shortened tie against Greensboro College and have played fewer games than most ODAC schools, but their per game averages are still low.

The Lady Royals have scored only eight goals in five games. Senior forward Ellie Lind has accounted for half of these. A collective groan was heard when she went down late in the Frostburg State University game. A collision with the keeper warranted a foul, and Lind stayed on the ground. Thorough inspection revealed no sprains or fractures in her leg, but she missed the remainder of the game as FSU came back to win 3-2.

No other player has scored more than once for the year and only four assists have been recorded.

Senior Rochelle Yoder has been solid in goal, though. She’s kept the Lady Royals’ balanced by stopping an average of eight shots a game. Her save total ranked fifth in the conference as of Sep. 17th. As a team, the Lady Royals are allowing just over one goal per game.

Despite the lack of scoring, EMU fans continue to support the team. They draw an average of 163 fans a game, good for fourth in the conference.