Historic defensive streak highlights MAC opener
The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team opened Mid-American Conference (MAC) action with a 0-0 draw against Bowling Green State University at Cochrane Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 17. The result marks the first time in program history that EMU has held home opponents scoreless across four consecutive road matches.
All four of EMU's 0-0 draws in the 2026 season have occurred on opponent territory: at No. 3 Michigan State University on Aug. 27, Robert Morris University on Aug. 30, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee on Sept. 10, and Bowling Green State University on Sept. 17. These four clean sheets represent the program's highest single-season scoreless draw total in recent history, exceeding the three recorded in the full 2024 season, the single draw in 2025, and zero in 2023.
With the draw, Eastern Michigan moved to 2-1-4 overall and 0-0-1 in MAC play, while Bowling Green State University moved to 3-1-2 overall and 0-0-1 in league play. The result extends Eastern Michigan's unbeaten streak to five consecutive matches, as the Eagles have not suffered a loss since an Aug. 16 defeat at the University of Detroit Mercy. Furthermore, the draw maintains EMU's strong historical performance in conference openers, bringing the program's all-time MAC opener record to 15-7-7.
Defensive resilience and goalkeeping excellence
Ella Holland rises in program record books
Goalkeeper Ella Holland (Dunwoody, Ga.) played all 90 minutes in goal for Eastern Michigan, making two saves to secure her fourth shutout of the 2026 season. The clean sheet elevated Holland to third place in Eastern Michigan program history in career shutouts. Holland entered the match ranking second in the MAC in goals-against average (0.60) and third in save percentage (.786).
Holland's key stops kept the match scoreless during the opening half. She made her first stop at the 30:15 mark, denying a low-center attempt from Taylor Green. At the 44:27 mark, Holland turned away a low-center shot from Gabby Lamparty to send both teams into the break level.
Defensive grit and statistical parity
Eastern Michigan's backline maintained a disciplined performance throughout the afternoon. Defender Rosalie Takacsy anchored the unit over 79 minutes while contributing two shots on attack. A team save at the 68:38 mark off a Lamparty attempt kept Bowling Green off the board in the second half.
Bowling Green goalkeeper Payton O'Malley added three saves to preserve the clean sheet for the Falcons. O'Malley entered the match leading the MAC in save percentage (.833) and goals-against average (0.57). Although BGSU held a 13-9 advantage in total shots, both teams were held to exactly three shots on goal, five corner kicks, and ten fouls.
Offensive spark and late near-misses
Eastern Michigan generated several quality scoring opportunities despite limited shots. Olivia Sipsock led EMU with two shots on goal in 50 minutes, matching her 2026 season high. The 2025 All-MAC Second Team selection had recorded no more than one shot on goal in any single match through her first five games of the season. Her top opportunity came at the 80:56 mark, when O'Malley turned away her low-left attempt.
Kate Cerveny provided an offensive spark off the bench in 39 minutes of action, registering two shots, including one on goal. Cerveny produced the closest attempt to a late winner for either team at the 87:23 mark, but O'Malley denied the strike to preserve the draw.
Historical context and looking ahead
Evenly matched rivalry
The all-time series between Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green State University remains tied at 15-15-5 through 35 meetings, with EMU's away record in Bowling Green moving to 7-7-3. The two programs have now drawn back-to-back meetings following a 1-1 tie at Ypsilanti on Oct. 5, 2025. Prior to Thursday, the last 0-0 draw between the teams occurred on Oct. 24, 2024, at BGSU. Cochrane Stadium previously hosted a 0-0 draw in the 2019 MAC Tournament Semifinal, where BGSU advanced 3-1 on penalty kicks.
Eagles return home for Central Michigan clash
Eastern Michigan returns home to host Central Michigan University on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. at Scicluna Field in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
