East Michigan News

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) soccer team, currently enjoying a three-match winning streak to start the 2024 season, is set to face Purdue Fort Wayne on August 29 at Scicluna Field in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The team will then travel to Cincinnati for a match on September 1.

The Eagles' matches against Purdue Fort Wayne and Cincinnati will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Tom Helmer providing commentary for the home game. Live statistics will be available on EMUEagles.com.

Sophomore Olivia Sipsock has been instrumental in EMU's early success, scoring two goals in a recent 2-0 victory over Youngstown State. This performance included the fastest goal in EMU history, scored just eight seconds into the match. Redshirt sophomore Ella Holland also contributed significantly with seven saves, securing her third career clean sheet.

Head Coach Taylor Clarke is leading the team in his first season after taking over from Scott Hall, who retired at the end of the 2023 season. Clarke is supported by Associate Head Coach Matt Hinds and Assistant Coach Mary Carlson.

Clarke's tenure follows Hall's long-standing legacy, which includes three MAC championships and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999. The current squad features key returning players such as sophomores Kate Robinson and Olivia Sipsock, both of whom earned Freshman All-MAC honors last year.

If EMU continues its winning streak to four or five matches, it would mark their best start since 1999. The team has not won three consecutive matches since spring 2021 and aims to achieve this milestone again against Purdue Fort Wayne.

In their series history with Purdue Fort Wayne, EMU leads with a record of 4-1-1. Sunday's contest against Cincinnati will be their first meeting ever.

EMU has shown strong defensive capabilities this season with back-to-back shutouts at Scicluna Field for the first time since September 2017. They aim to extend this streak further in upcoming matches.

The team's roster remains largely intact from last year despite a coaching change, with only one player leaving the program. New additions include transfers Ela Kisin (Long Island), Lucia Johnson (Akron), Scarlett Thomas (Missouri), and six freshmen recruits.

Eastern Michigan ranks fourth nationally in returning players from last year and leads McNeese State in returners without any collegiate transfers out.

Following these two matches, EMU will have an 11-day break before resuming competition at Valparaiso on September 12.

For more updates on EMU soccer, fans can follow them on Twitter (@EMUSoccer), Instagram (@EMUSoccer), and Facebook (Eastern Michigan Soccer).