On a chilly Saturday afternoon inside the Indoor Practice Facility, the Eastern Michigan University lacrosse team proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the 2026 season. In a gritty, come-from-behind performance on Feb. 14, the Eagles defeated visiting Xavier University 9-7, marking the best start in program history with a 3-1 record.
The victory was not just a win on the scoreboard; it was a milestone. It represented the Eagles’ first-ever win against the Musketeers after dropping the previous two matchups in the series. Furthermore, the win solidified a 3-0 start at home, the program’s best opening stretch in Ypsilanti to date.
A slow start and a musketeer surge
The game began as a defensive stalemate, with both teams struggling to find the back of the net in the opening minutes. Xavier finally broke the ice at the 7:29 mark of the first quarter. However, the Eagles responded late in the period when Kelsea Dague scored her first goal of the day with just 56 seconds remaining, sending the game into the second quarter tied 1-1.
The second quarter saw the Musketeers take control. After EMU’s Abby Alderman answered an early Xavier goal to tie the game at 2-2, the visitors went on a three-goal scoring run. Xavier’s Maya Graham and Genevieve Hathaway helped propel the Musketeers to a 5-2 lead with just over three minutes left in the half.
Seeking momentum before the break, Roya Khaleeli stopped the bleeding by finishing a pass from Mackenzie Blackwell with 1:47 remaining. Khaleeli’s goal not only narrowed the deficit to 5-3 but also contributed to a historic day for her; she finished the game with two draw controls, reaching 50 career draws.
The second-half comeback
Coming out of the locker room, Eastern Michigan looked revitalized. Stella Burke ignited the rally with a goal on a free-position shot, followed quickly by Dague’s second goal of the afternoon to knot the score at 5-5.
Xavier refused to go away quietly, however, netting two consecutive goals — one at the end of the third and another early in the fourth — to reclaim a 7-5 advantage. With their backs against the wall, the Eagles dug deep and orchestrated a decisive four-goal run to close out the game.
The comeback began at the 11:14 mark of the fourth quarter when Emerson Henry capitalized on a woman-up opportunity with a free-position goal. Just one minute later, Tracy Grollman slashed in front of the cage and buried a pass from Dague to tie the game at 7-7.
The hero of the day, Kelsea Dague, completed her hat trick with 5:40 remaining, giving Eastern its first lead of the game. It was Dague’s second consecutive hat trick. To put the finishing touches on the win, Kendall Nagle scored less than a minute later to secure the 9-7 final.
Defensive excellence and program records
While the offense provided the late-game fireworks, the Eagles' defense was the backbone of the victory. EMU allowed only two goals in the second half, tying the third-fewest allowed in a second half in program history.
Goalkeeper Maddy Porter was stellar between the pipes, recording eight saves and seven ground balls. Defensively, Karly Low notched a career-high four ground balls, while Payton Bloedow forced a career-high three caused turnovers.
As a team, the Eagles dominated the statistical battle, leading in shots 31-19, draw controls 13-5, and ground balls 27-24.
What’s next
With a successful three-game home stand in the books, the Eagles will now hit the road for a four-game trip. Their next test comes on Wednesday, Feb. 18, as they travel to Buffalo, N.Y., to face Canisius University at 3 p.m.
