Oct. 1: Women’s Soccer at Ball State
Tale: After completing a trip to Buffalo, the Eagles will get back on the road to face Ball State in Muncie, Indiana for Eastern Michigan’s third MAC game of the season. The Eagles haven’t beat the Cardinals on the road since 2019 but with some of the usual powerhouse MAC teams having a down year, and Eastern having an excellent start to the MAC season, the Eagles have a serious chance to change the status quo. The Cardinals are 3-1 at home this season so Eastern Michigan will have to dig deep to get a favorable result.
Tip: The Eagles have something, or rather someone, that the Cardinals do not: goalkeeper Ella Holland. Holland is on a tremendous run, giving up less than half a goal on average during the season. The Cardinals are averaging less than one goal per game, so Eastern Michigan’s defense needs to stay strong and keep Ball State from getting any favorable shots. Ball State's defense has been giving up an average of one goal per game, so the the Eagle offense will need to take their shots and force the Cardinal goalkeeper to make plenty of saves. Winning this game will help the team's chances to get into the MAC tournament but it's just one step in the right direction.
Oct. 2: Men’s and Women’s Cross Country at the Joe Piane Invitational in South Bend, Indiana
Tale: With both teams coming off of a couple of weeks of rest, they will travel together to the Joe Piane Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame, as they look to remain in form during a tough month of races. This will be the teams' first of several races in October, with the Mid-American Championships approaching at the end of the month. Kian Wiles and Christiana Coleman will lead their respective squads as they continue to face some of the best teams in the country.
Tip: With plenty of teams coming to South Bend for the race, both Eagle cross country teams will need to get out ahead of the pack so they don’t get boxed in and lose opportunities to move up during the race. The runners will need to use some energy early to gain position so they aren’t forced to play catch-up heading into the finish.
Oct. 2: Volleyball at Western Michigan
Tale: After falling to the Ohio Bobcats three sets to one, the Eastern Michigan Eagles return to the court in Kalamazoo to face their in-state rivals, the Western Michigan Broncos. The Eagles will be looking to bounce back from the loss while adding another win to their MAC record against their third conference opponent. Western Michigan will also be looking to gain some momentum after being swept twice by the MAC-leading Ball State Cardinals on Sept. 25-26. The Broncos will welcome their other in-state rivals, the Central Michigan Chippewas, three days before facing Eastern, giving Western Michigan back-to-back rivalry games.
Tip: The Eagles will have the advantage when it comes to rest and recovery, so they will have to make it count. Eastern Michigan needs to use its fresher legs to wear down the Broncos throughout each set and take advantage of any late-set opportunities to come away with a rivalry win.
Oct. 2-4: Eastern Michigan Women’s Tennis at Michigan State Classic
Tale: After opening the fall season at the EMU Hidden Duals, the Eagles will hit the road for the Michigan State Classic in East Lansing. Eastern Michigan will get another chance to test itself against strong competition as it continues preparing for the ITA Midwest Regional and MAC Individual Championships later in October.
Tip: With the Eagles competing against a crowded field in East Lansing, consistency will be key. Players will need to stay aggressive on their serves and find ways to control points early rather than allowing opponents to dictate the pace. Strong performances in both singles and doubles could give Eastern some momentum heading into the rest of its fall schedule.
Oct. 3: Eastern Michigan Football at UMass
Tale: The Eastern Michigan Eagles will take on the UMass Minutemen in Amherst, Massachusetts, for their second MAC game of the season after earning their second win of the season with a 29-3 victory over the Lindenwood Lions. The Eagles’ first MAC win came in their season opener against Sacramento State before they lost three straight games. Eastern Michigan enters the game with a 2-3 record, looking to get back to .500 while remaining undefeated in MAC play.
Tip: After going winless in 2025, the Minutemen have bounced back in 2026, opening the season with a major win over Big Ten opponent Rutgers. UMass has found success through its passing game and by taking care of the football. For Eastern Michigan to come away with a win, its defense will need to force turnovers and keep the ball out of the Minutemen offense’s hands. Noah Kim and the Eagles’ offense will also need to put points on the board in what could be a high-scoring game. But because this is MACtion, anything can happen.
Oct. 3: Lightweight Rowing at Michigan State
Tale: History will be made Oct. 3 as Eastern Michigan lightweight rowing competes for the first time in program history when the Eagles travel to East Lansing to take on Michigan State. The inaugural competition will give Eastern a chance to see where it stands against in-state competition while beginning a new chapter for the program.
Tip: With this being the first competition in program history, the Eagles will need to stay composed and trust the work they have put in leading up to race day. A strong start, consistent rhythm and a strong finish will be key as Eastern Michigan looks to make its first race a memorable one.
Oct. 3: Volleyball against Central Michigan
Tale: After taking on the Broncos just one day earlier, the Eagles will return to the George Gervin GameAbove Center to take on their other in-state rivals, the Central Michigan Chippewas. This will be the teams’ second matchup of the season after the Eagles swept the Chippewas in three straight sets on Sept. 22. With another rivalry game on the schedule, Eastern Michigan will look to take another step toward establishing itself among the top volleyball teams in the state and the Mid-American Conference.
Tip: With the Eagles playing two rivalry games on back-to-back days, rest and recovery will be essential. Eastern Michigan will need to take care of business against Western Michigan as efficiently as possible so the players can rehydrate, recover and prepare for the Chippewas. Central Michigan will also be looking for some revenge after being swept earlier in the season, so the Eagles cannot afford to overlook their second in-state rivalry matchup.
Oct. 4: Women’s Soccer against Kent State
Tale: After spending the last two games on the road, the Eastern Michigan Eagles will return home to Scicluna Field to take on the Kent State Golden Flashes. This will be Eastern Michigan’s first home game since its 3-0 victory over in-state rival Central Michigan, giving the Eagles a chance to bring that momentum back in front of their home crowd. With the MAC season continuing to heat up, Eastern will look to make the most of its return home.
Tip: The Eagles will need to take advantage of playing at home by controlling possession and creating quality scoring opportunities early. Kent State will look to make things difficult, so Eastern Michigan’s defense will need to stay organized and prevent the Golden Flashes from finding open chances. If the Eagles can establish their attack while keeping Kent State off the scoreboard, they could put themselves in a strong position to earn another important MAC victory.
