The Eastern Michigan University women’s soccer program enters its 31st varsity season under the direction of third-year Head coach Taylor Clarke. Following a 2025 campaign that saw the Eagles narrowly miss the postseason, the program has aggressively retooled its roster with a high-caliber transfer class and six incoming freshmen to compete in a demanding Mid-American Conference (MAC) landscape.
Building on the 2025 foundation
The 2025 season was defined by individual excellence and a strong defensive identity. Offensively, the Eagles were paced by Olivia Sipsock, who returns for her senior season after finishing 2025 as the team’s leading goal scorer and total point getter. In the net, veteran goalkeeper Ella Holland provided a steadying presence, anchoring a unit that prioritized resilience.
The program also continued its tradition of academic distinction, placing 11 student-athletes on the Academic All-MAC List and seeing six players earn CSC Academic All-District honors. Despite finishing seventh in the MAC, just one spot out of the conference tournament, the Eagles showed they were a formidable opponent, a foundation Clarke looks to build upon this year.
The 2026 Schedule: A Proving Ground
The 2026 schedule, revealed on June 11, 2026, is one of the most ambitious in recent program history. It features matches against three programs that participated in the 2025 NCAA Tournament: Duquesne, Michigan State, and Milwaukee.
The season begins at home on August 12 against Duquesne, followed by a local road trip to Detroit Mercy on August 16. Other non-conference highlights include a marquee matchup at Big Ten foe Michigan State on August 27 and a road game at Milwaukee on September 10. The MAC campaign kicks off on September 17 at Bowling Green, followed by the conference home opener against Central Michigan on September 20. The regular season concludes with a unique non-conference finale at home against Massachusetts on November 1.
The coaching staff
Coach Taylor Clarke continues to shape the program's culture in his third season. He is supported by Associate head coach Matt Hinds, who brings extensive tactical experience to the sidelines. A key development in the off-season was the promotion of Zach Shuk to Assistant coach in March 2026. Shuk, who also serves as the Goalkeeping coach, has been instrumental in the development of the Eagles' shot-stoppers and will now take on an expanded role within the coaching staff.
The 2026 transfer class
To bridge the gap to the postseason, Clarke has brought in four transfers who provide immediate experience and leadership:
- Madison Hurst (Jr, F): Joining from Robert Morris University, Hurst is a dynamic attacking threat who was named to the 2024 Horizon League All-Freshman Team. In 2025, she started 11 matches, contributing three goals and two assists, including two game-winning goals in back-to-back games against Southern Indiana and Canisius. A TopDrawerSoccer "Player to Watch," Hurst recorded 36 goals in her high school career and is expected to be a primary target alongside Sipsock.
- Reese Carpenter (Sr, D): A 5'10" defender, Carpenter brings a championship pedigree to Ypsilanti. After redshirting at Xavier, she played 12 matches for Creighton University in 2024, logging nearly 500 minutes. During the 2025 season at Creighton, she appeared in 15 matches, logging 596 minutes. In high school, she guided Mount Notre Dame to an unbeaten 22-0-1 record and a state championship. Her height and defensive awareness will be vital for EMU’s backline
- Christie Fransen (R-Jr, D): Transferring from Bowling Green State University, Fransen is intimately familiar with the MAC. Despite missing 2024 due to injury, she returned in 2025 to play 404 minutes across 10 matches, earning four starts at center back. A former All-Ohio First Team selection at Wooster High School, her veteran presence provides stability and conference-specific intelligence.
- Gillian Poiesz (Jr, D): Coming from the University of Memphis and Saint Louis University, Poiesz has been part of elite programs that won two AAC regular-season titles and reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament. An ECNL All-Conference first-team selection in club soccer, she recorded 28 goals and 16 assists during her high school career at New Providence.
The freshman signing class
The Eagles also welcome six freshmen from across the Midwest to bolster the roster for the future:
- Ella Miller (F): Morgantown High School.
- Jolee Waddington (F): Palatine High School.
- Annalyse Bauer (MF): Greater Latrobe High School.
- Lauren Yaquinto (F): Northville High School.
- Deena Jaffer (D): Dearborn High School.
- Avery Hilvert (F): Olentangy Liberty High School.
With a milestone 31st season ahead, the combination of returning stars like Sipsock and Holland, the physical presence of Carpenter, and the offensive spark of Hurst positions Eastern Michigan as a team to watch in the MAC.
