AFC Ann Arbor are excited to announce Emily Eitzman as the first player to join The Mighty Oak’s women’s team ahead of the 2020 season. A local product from Saline, Eitzman went down in club history as the youngest goal scorer for either the men’s or women’s side scoring a goal in the Michigan Milk Cup against North Oakland as a 17-year-old. Still in high school, the hope is for her to continue to build upon her historic first season with the club.
“Returning to AFC Ann Arbor is truly like coming home to family,” said Eitzman on her return. “Bilal [Saeed, Chairman of AFC Ann Arbor] and all the owners of the club made it easy to establish a special bond with the team and program last year, and I am so grateful and honored to be asked back.” Eitzman would also highlight how she feels that the front office and coaching staff is committed to the players just as she is to the club.
This season also serves as a sort of reuniting of sorts for Eitzman and her former coach. “I am really looking forward to playing under Coach Boyzzz. He was my coach when I was around ten years old.” Khumalo recalled what stood out to him about Eitzman even as a young player: “She was always a good technical player; she was very good on the ball.” Eitzman recalled fond memories from last season when Khumalo would join in on some training days and scrimmage with the women’s side, and she looks forward to seeing what the team can accomplish with him at the helm.
Eitzman’s excitement to be coached by Khumalo is reciprocated by the newly installed head coach of the women’s team. Khumalo was actually key in recommending her to the club for the 2019 season, along with one of her fellow former coaches and club legends, Knox Cameron. In talking about why he was excited to bring Eitzman back, Khumalo noted that she is not only a good player, but also a good person, and he looks forward to seeing her improve her game.
Khumalo is not the only person that Eitzman is looking forward to learning under, however, as she said, “Having Mami coach us (as well as play with us again) is another reason I am confident we will see growth.” Of course, referring to Japanese national team star and 2019 Women’s Team MVP Mami Yamaguchi, who will serve as a player/coach for the upcoming season. She also gave acknowledgement to the supporters of AFCAA, saying, “Playing for them, with the Main Street Hooligans cheering us on, is going to be a truly great experience!”
As a local resident, this is more than just a soccer club to Eitzman. “The program is a way to represent the city and connect community members in a positive way. The Mighty Oak Youth Project is just one of the ways many members of this club work to give back.” Eitzman was recently named to the board of TMOYP, making her the youngest board member of the club’s non-profit arm. She hopes to use this position to continue in furthering her reach in helping the local youth, saying, “I hope to be even more impactful as we spread our mission of empowering youth through soccer in Ann Arbor and surrounding areas.”
In discussing goals, it is all about improving and the experience for Eitzman. “My goals for this year are to have fun with my AFC family and improve on what we began last year.” She noted that it was a learning process in the first season, but she is ready to work hard in whatever role that Khumalo has marked out for her. “I have been looking forward to this season since the last one ended,” Eitzman stated. “I cannot wait to train hard, win games, and spend time with my AFC family, new members and old, on and off of the field.”