Breaking the CMU curse
The Eastern Michigan University lacrosse team reached a defining milestone in its program history on Saturday, April 4, 2026, defeating Central Michigan University 14-9 at Scicluna Field. Entering the contest, the Eagles had never beaten the Chippewas in four previous attempts, dating back to the program's inception. The victory not only snapped the winless streak against CMU but also signaled the arrival of EMU as a powerhouse in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). With the win, the Eagles improved to 8-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play, tying the 2025 team’s record for the most wins in a single season.
A high-stakes turnaround
The atmosphere in Ypsilanti was charged with intensity from the opening whistle. Eastern Michigan came out firing, as Mackenzie Blackwell found the back of the net just 29 seconds into the game. Moments later, Emerson Henry doubled the lead, giving the Eagles a 2-0 advantage with only one minute played. However, the Chippewas (2-10, 1-3 MAC) did not fold early. Capitalizing on a trio of woman-up opportunities, Central Michigan mounted a three-goal surge to claim a 4-3 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter initially saw CMU extend its margin to 6-3. Facing a critical junction, the Eagles responded with urgency. Roya Khaleeli sparked a vital 4-1 run to pull EMU back into contention. After Henry converted a free-position shot and Blackwell tallied her second goal of the day, Tracy Grollman scored a clutch goal with just 13 seconds left in the half, sending the Eagles into the locker room with a 7-6 lead and the momentum firmly in their favor.
Henry and Grollman fuel the fire
The second half belonged to Eastern Michigan. The Eagles seized control in the third quarter, outscoring the Chippewas 5-2. Emerson Henry was the engine of the offense, recording a rare "double hat trick" with four goals and three assists. This performance made her just the fourth player in program history to achieve such a feat. During the third-quarter surge, Henry converted a woman-up opportunity and provided key assists to Kyleigh Dill and Tracy Grollman.
Henry’s career day also saw her surpass the 50-goal milestone, bringing her two-season total to 51. She was joined in the scoring column by Grollman, who finished with five points and was credited with the game-winning goal—the third of her career. Blackwell also remained a constant threat, posting three points and continuing her streak of scoring multiple goals in nearly 80 percent of her career games.
Lockdown defense and record-setting milestones
While the offense provided the fireworks, the EMU defense ensured the lead was safe. Goalkeeper Maddy Porter was exceptional, recording 11 saves and a career-high-tying seven ground balls. The defense held Central Michigan to just three goals in the entire second half, including a single goal in the final period. This marked the sixth time this season the Eagles have held an opponent to single-digit scoring.
The victory was managed under unique circumstances, as assistant coach Ty McGuire served as the acting head coach. McGuire stepped in shortly before game time due to a family emergency involving Head coach Maddie Dugan. Under McGuire’s guidance, the team not only beat their rivals but also secured their fifth home win of the season, breaking the previous program record of four.
Looking ahead to the top spot
The Eagles now look toward a pivotal matchup against MAC leader UMass on April 11. The Minutewomen currently sit just one game ahead of EMU in the standings. A victory at Scicluna Field next week would create a three-way tie for the top spot in the conference, putting Eastern Michigan in a position to compete for a regular-season title. As the team celebrates this historic win over Central Michigan, the focus remains on the three remaining regular-season games and the opportunity to stand alone as the winningest team in program history.
