YPSILANTI, MI - Toledo inched closer to capturing its third Mid-American Conference regular-season title in the last four seasons with a 2-1 victory over Eastern Michigan on Sunday at Scicluna Field. With the win, the Rockets improve to 10-6-2 overall, 8-1-1 in the league.
UT can wrap up the MAC regular-season championship with a triumph against Ball State at home on Thursday or a Central Michigan (13-2-3, 7-1-2 MAC) loss to the Eagles (3-12-2, 3-6-1 MAC). They can also claim a share of the crown with the combination of a draw versus the Cardinals and a CMU victory.
"What an exciting road win," Toledo Head Coach Brad Evans said. "We really executed well in the second half and scored two huge goals. We had to hold on a little bit at the end, as Eastern Michigan was really desperate for the win. In goal, Vicki (Traven) was outstanding for us and came up big when we needed her."
After a scoreless first half, the Midnight Blue & Gold opened the scoring off the foot of sophomore Nicole Gyurgyik at 47:02. The second-year forward received a pass from classmate Rachel MacLeod and one-timed a shot into the right corner of the frame to post her eighth goal of the season.
Toledo added to its lead a little more than seven minutes later when senior Ana Reynolds found the back of the net for the first time this fall at 54:22. There was a scramble in front of the frame and Reynolds was able to get enough on a shot to put it across over the goal line, establishing a two-score cushion.
"Today was a great match for us," Reynolds said. "We came out with a lot of energy and did the things that we are good at. We were able to execute our chances in the second half and fought hard through the whole match. I'm proud of our team and how we competed today."
EMU did not go quietly, though, on 'Senior Day' and cut the margin in half on a breakaway score from Angela Vultaggio in the 81st minute.
The home team tried to use the momentum from Vultaggio's score and fired four shots over the last five-plus minutes, but the Rockets' defense stood tall and did not allow the equalizer.
UT finished with a slight 18-14 edge in shots, including a team-high four shots by MacLeod and three off the foot of senior Kristen Lynn.
Between the posts, Traven was outstanding and tallied five saves to pick up her 10th victory of the season.
The Rockets will return to action on Thursday, Oct. 27 when they wrap up their regular season vs. Ball State. The opening whistle is slated for 2:00 p.m. and will be shown live on BCSN.
TOLEDO 2, Eastern Michigan 1
UT: N. Gyurgyik (R. MacLeod), 47:02
UT: A. Reynolds (A. Tice), 54:22
EMU: A. Vultaggio (C. Detrick), 80:25
SHOTS: UT 18, EMU 14
CORNER KICKS: UT 6, EMU 3
SAVES: UT 5, EMU 10
FOULS: UT 12, EMU 9
