It had been six years since the Eastern Michigan University women’s soccer team had beaten the University at Buffalo Bulls back in 2019, but that was before either team had stepped onto the field, and this time, Eastern was poised to flip the script.
After falling to Loyola University Chicago 2-0 on September 11, the Eagles aimed for a bounce-back win to kick off homecoming week right and begin their quest for a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth.
Eagles goalkeeper Ella Holland earned her second clean sheet of the season as she led Eastern to a 1-0 victory and sent Buffalo packing with their first loss to Eastern in six years.
The game was a defensive battle from the get-go as neither team wanted to let long passes fall in behind their defense. Buffalo had the advantage early as they attacked the 50/50 balls and continuously put pressure on the Eagles' offense, leading to many turnovers and changes in the pace of play.
Buffalo’s break came in the 15th minute when a lapse in the Eastern defense allowed the Bulls to have a one-on-one opportunity with the goal. Unfortunately for Buffalo, Ella Holland was in goal.
A sprawling butterfly save by Holland pushed the ball wide of the net, giving Eastern defenders time to recover and clear the ball away from the danger area.
In the 19th minute, Holland had a diving save as she punched the ball out for a corner kick which allowed Eastern to reset. In the 33rd, Holland had to stretch to push a Buffalo shot over the crossbar.
By the time the first half ended, Holland had made five saves compared to just one from Buffalo goalkeeper Lexie Thompson.
The Eagles offense in the first half struggled as they had trouble connecting passes in the final third and building on their momentum. The Eagles earned a corner kick in the 35th minute that almost resulted in an Eastern goal, but the ball got trapped in between defenders, leading to an easy goalie clearance and the Eagles having to retreat and reset.
The first half ended scoreless as both teams' defenses bent but did not break, with neither team being able to capitalize on the mistakes or the swings in momentum.
The second half started quickly for the Eagles as they were able to push the ball downfield and get in behind the Bulls defense, forcing Buffalo’s goalkeeper Thompson to step up and make a save, but still the score remained 0-0. Buffalo countered, but nothing came from it as the Eagles defense increased the pressure they put on the ball and got the turnovers they needed.
A turnover by the Bulls resulted in Olivia Sipsock taking possession, with Sipsock passing the ball to Meredith Werner who laid a beautiful pass back to Sipsock in between two Buffalo defenders, allowing Sipsock the time and space to take on another defender and then with her left foot center a shot to the top right corner of the goal.
The ball was tipped by Buffalo goalie Lexie Thompson, but she could not completely redirect it as the ball hit the back of the net, putting the Eagles up 1-0 three minutes into the second half.
With 42 minutes still to play in the second half, the Eagles continued to attack Buffalo’s defense but were unable to find any more offensive brilliance to increase their lead. Not to worry, as the heroics were being displayed on the other side of the field once again by Holland and the Eastern defense.
Eastern's defense remained strong in the second half; Buffalo registered five corner kicks, but all were shut down.
After the game, Eastern Coach Taylor Clarke emphasized consistency and effort.
“I think just the level of consistency and the level of determination to go and repeat the effort,” Clarke said. “The last thing you want to do is think you’ve done one and the next one’s just going to happen. You have to work even harder for the second one, and harder for the third. That’s all we’re going to do – focus on the next one and take care of business."
Clarke also praised Holland’s performance.
“No real surprise. She circles every single opponent and wants to play her best game every opportunity,” he said. “She has a special mentality when it comes to that.”
The Eagles are away for their next two MAC contests as they will travel to take on the University of Toledo Rockets on Sept. 21, 2025, for a 1 p.m. kickoff and the Miami University Redhawks on Sept. 25, 2025, at 7 p.m. Eastern Michigan will return home on Sept. 28 for a matchup against the Ohio University Bobcats for Kids Day at Scicluna Field.
