The Eastern Michigan University women’s soccer team delivered a critical performance on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, defeating the University of Akron Zips 3-0 in their penultimate regular-season home match.
The victory provided the essential three points the Eagles needed, having entered the game in "must-win territory" to maintain distance from Northern Illinois University and secure a spot in the upcoming Mid-American Conference tournament.
The win saw the Eagles combine ruthless offensive efficiency, led by junior Olivia Sipsock, with a stellar defensive performance anchored by MAC-leading goalkeeper Ella Holland.
"It was a must-win to be able to give ourselves a chance (at the MAC tournament)," Eagles Head Coach Taylor Clarke said after the match. "We had to win that,” he added.
Sipsock powers offense with two goals
Junior forward Olivia Sipsock was the catalyst for the offense, registering two goals and an assist on the day. Sipsock, who leads the Eagles in goals, opened the scoring unassisted at the 24:18 mark with a shot placed high toward the top of the far post.
She struck again early in the second half, finding the bottom left corner at 51:44 after weaving past two Zips defenders.
EMU's third goal sealed the victory late in the match. Ciara Brown found Sipsock in the center of the box, Sipsock setting up freshman Kaylee Synk, who found the back of the net with a right-foot touch.
Clarke praised Sipsock's consistency, noting the lift her performance provided for the team.
"It gives you the 1-0 advantage early, but then to get the second one, it gives you real ease, if you will," Clarke commented. "For us to feel that weight kind of taken off our shoulders is huge."
Clarke remarked that even when Sipsock isn't scoring, "she's generating some of our best chances consistently.”
Statistically, the Eagles demonstrated significant efficiency, scoring three goals on just six shots on goal throughout the contest.
Holland's stability secures shutout
While EMU was efficient up front, the defense was tested by the Zips. Akron recorded seven shots on goal, one more than EMU's total. Still, redshirt junior goalkeeper Ella Holland successfully turned them all away.
Holland, who entered the contest leading the MAC in saves (76), saves per game (5.46), and save percentage (.844), recorded eight saves to earn the clean sheet. Holland now has 14 career shutouts, tying her for fifth-most in program history.
Clarke emphasized the importance of his keeper's presence.
"It was stability. It was confidence," Clarke said of Holland's play.
"We know when somebody's back there, who's got our back, it helps everybody know, like, yeah, we want to try to be at our best, but if I make a mistake, I know I've got the best goalkeeper in the conference behind me,” he added.
Match statistics and tournament outlook
The Eagles controlled several key areas of the pitch, especially corner kicks, earning a decisive 9-3 advantage over Akron.
The critical win also comes after a narrow 1-0 loss to MAC-leading Western Michigan University. Clarke was impressed with how the team responded to the adversity, noting that the respect shown by WMU after beating EMU motivated the players.
"I thought the group was really good," Clarke stated, emphasizing the confidence and belief his players showed.
The Eagles, who now lead the all-time series against Akron 15-6-2, will look to carry this momentum into their final regular-season home match against Northern Illinois on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. Northern Illinois sits directly behind EMU in the standings, making the upcoming contest essential for EMU's bid to return to the MAC tournament, which they have not advanced to since 2019.
