A battle for the record books
On April 30, 2026, at Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township, Pa., the Eastern Michigan University lacrosse team engaged in a high-stakes Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament semifinal against the University of Akron. Entering the game with a 10-6 record, the Eagles were seeking to extend their most successful season to date. Although the contest ultimately ended in a 10-9 double-overtime defeat, the game served as a testament to the program's rapid ascent, marking Eastern Michigan's first-ever winning season and first double-digit win total.
Weathering the initial storm
The game began with Akron establishing a dominant rhythm, opening the match on a 5-0 scoring run. The Zips shut out the Eagles in the first quarter, taking a 2-0 lead, and added three more goals at the start of the second period. Eastern Michigan finally found its footing late in the first half when Kelsea Dague converted a free-position goal with just 41 seconds remaining before the intermission. This crucial score not only halted Akron’s momentum but also ignited a sustained comeback for the Eagles.
Following the halftime break, the Eagles' offense found its stride. Tracy Grollman scored off a pass from Mackenzie Blackwell, followed shortly by another free-position goal from Dague, which brought the Eagles within striking distance. Blackwell and Grollman continued to showcase their chemistry, with Grollman assisting on a Blackwell "woman-up" goal to cut the deficit to one. Though Akron briefly extended its lead, Dague scored again with 35 seconds left in the third quarter, sending the game into the final frame with the Zips leading 6-5.
The fourth quarter surge and extra time
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair that saw Akron again pull away to a 9-6 lead with 11:09 remaining in regulation. Refusing to concede, Eastern Michigan mounted a final charge. Grollman assisted Blackwell for a goal and then scored an unassisted goal of her own to make it 8-7. After Akron scored again to make it 9-7, Katheryn Wilson found Dague for her fourth goal of the game with 6:40 remaining. Finally, with only 2:20 left on the clock, Blackwell secured her hat trick with a free-position goal, tying the game at 9-9 and forcing overtime.
The first five-minute overtime period was characterized by defensive brilliance and exceptional goalkeeping on both sides, as neither team could find the back of the net. The tension peaked in the second overtime period. Unfortunately for the Eagles, Akron scored the winning goal with 4:05 remaining in the second extra frame, ending the marathon match and the Eagles' season.
Individual milestones and program legacy
While the loss was heartbreaking, several Eagles etched their names further into the program's history during the contest. Mackenzie Blackwell finished with four points, breaking her own single-season record by reaching 66 points for the year. She concluded the season as the program's all-time leader with 194 goals. Tracy Grollman also had a record-breaking performance, finishing the season with 39 assists—more than doubling the previous single-season record—and ending her career as the program’s all-time assist leader with 74.
Defensively, Maddy Porter recorded eight saves and six ground balls, setting a program record with 72 ground balls on the season. Annika Wozney also reached a milestone, finishing her career with 56 caused turnovers, the most in Eastern Michigan history.
A season of firsts
Despite the semifinal exit, the 2026 season was a landmark year for EMU Lacrosse. The team set new standards for defensive excellence, allowing only 171 goals while setting program records for caused turnovers (194) and ground balls (316). Finishing at 10-7 overall, the Eagles proved they are a rising force in the MAC, having transformed from an 8-9 team the previous year into a winning program capable of competing in double-overtime thrillers.
