East Michigan News

Sophomore Cameryn Susey's 85th-minute match-winning goal marked the beginning of a new era for the Eastern Michigan University soccer team under first-year Head Coach Taylor Clarke. The Eagles secured a 1-0 victory against Oakland University on Thursday, Aug. 15, at Scicluna Field in their opening match of the 2024 season.

The first half ended scoreless despite the Eagles earning four corner kicks within the first 13 minutes. Eastern Michigan increased pressure in the second half and found success when Susey scored with an assist from sophomore Olivia Sipsock and junior Mary Grimes. The Eagles outshot Oakland 10-5 and led in corner kicks by a margin of 9-4.

"Eastern moved to 1-0-0 on the year while Oakland moved to 0-1-0," noted team officials. Susey netted her second career goal, having previously scored an equalizer against the University at Buffalo on Oct. 1, 2023.

Redshirt sophomore Ella Holland recorded her second career clean sheet with one save as EMU's defense limited Oakland to five attempts at goal, only one of which was on target from long range. Holland's other clean sheet was against Central Michigan University on Sept. 21, 2023.

Redshirt sophomore Sophia Baumann, redshirt freshman Josie Langhans, and freshman Tayla Maddock made their Eagle debuts during this match.

Eastern Michigan secured its 250th win in program history but trails in the all-time series with Oakland, now standing at 4-9-2. This game marked EMU's first season-opening clean sheet since a scoreless draw against Butler on Aug. 21, 2016, and their first season-opening shutout victory since defeating Fordham on Aug. 22, 2014.

Additionally, this victory ended a long home win drought for Eastern Michigan at Scicluna Field since topping Morehead State by a scoreline of 2-1 on Sept. 5, 2021. It also marked their first home shutout since beating Miami (Ohio) by a score of 3-0 on Oct. 18, 2018.

Head Coach Taylor Clarke became the second head coach in program history to earn a win in his opening match following Scott Hall’s six-match winning streak starting with a victory over IUPUI (now IU-Indy) on Sept. 1, 1999.

Eastern Michigan will play its next game away against UIC on Aug.22.

For more information about the Eagles and updates throughout the season, visit EMUEagles.com or follow them on Twitter (@EMUSoccer) and Instagram (@EMUSoccer).