The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) lacrosse team continued its 2026 campaign with a gritty 13-10 come-from-behind victory over Austin Peay State University on Sunday, March 1. Played at Morgan Bros. Field in Clarksville, Tennessee, this win propelled the Eagles to a 5-2 record. In a game defined by momentum swings, Eastern Michigan used a late five-goal surge and a stellar performance from Emerson Henry to hand the Governors their first home loss in program history.
The contest began with EMU establishing an early rhythm. Just over a minute into the game, Emerson Henry opened the scoring off an assist from Tracy Grollman. After Austin Peay tied the game, Katheryn Wilson regained the lead for the Eagles with an unassisted drive through the defense. Henry quickly added another goal, helping EMU end the first quarter with a slim 3-2 advantage.
The second quarter saw the Governors briefly take control, scoring twice in the opening minutes to lead 4-3. However, Henry responded with her third goal of the game to secure her first hat trick of the season. The middle of the second quarter featured a clinic in distribution from Tracy Grollman, who assisted Mackenzie Blackwell on two consecutive goals. These helpers were part of a three-assist half for Grollman, which allowed her to tie the program’s career assist record at 45, a mark previously held by Avery Schwab. Despite the Eagles' offensive efficiency, the Governors remained within striking distance, and the teams went into halftime with EMU leading 7-6.
The third quarter proved difficult for the Eagles as Austin Peay’s offense found its stride. While Henry managed to net her fourth goal of the game, the Governors scored three times in the period to take a 9-8 lead into the final frame. At the start of the fourth quarter, APSU extended its lead to 10-8. Facing a two-goal deficit on the road, EMU made a pivotal change in the net, subbing in freshman goalkeeper Emma Baker for her collegiate debut. Baker’s presence was immediate and impactful; she recorded three saves and allowed only one goal during the final 15 minutes, providing the defensive stability needed for a comeback.
Trailing 10-8, the Eagles ignited a decisive 5-0 run to close the game. Kyleigh Dill sparked the momentum with a goal at the 13:14 mark, followed by Stella Burke, who tied the game at 10-10 by dunking home a shot from behind the cage. The game-winning moment came with 7:57 remaining when Kendall Nagle buried a free-position shot to give EMU an 11-10 lead. Henry then capitalized on a "woman-up" advantage to score her career-high fifth goal of the afternoon.
The victory was sealed with a milestone goal by freshman Christie Evans, assisted by fellow freshman Brooke Sganga, with 2:28 remaining. This final score was the 600th goal in the history of the EMU lacrosse program.
Individually, the Eagles saw several standout performances beyond the scoring sheet. Emerson Henry not only led with five goals but also dominated the circle with eight draw controls. Grollman finished the day with four points, marking her 10th career game with at least four points. Defensively, Haley Hodak and Karly Low anchored the unit with three ground balls, and one caused a turnover each. The game was also notable for its physicality, with officials issuing several cards, including a yellow card to APSU's Tori Ross in the fourth quarter that set up Nagle’s game-winning free-position shot.
This victory underscores the rapid growth of the EMU program, which saw eight different players score goals and nine players record points. The team's ability to capitalize on the "woman-up" advantage—scoring four times while the Governors were penalized—was a key factor in the outcome. With this win, the Eagles now look ahead to a significant "Power 4" road test against Vanderbilt University on Wednesday, March 4.
