Eastern Michigan showed up to Akron, Ohio, on Oct. 31 with a win on their mind.
They succeeded and accomplished this goal by ending the game with a win of 1-0. Eastern’s defense fulfilled the significant expectations they had earned for themselves this season, and the forwards used their talent and hard work to score a needed goal. This was a great way to end the 2024 soccer season.
The only goal that game was scored by sophomore Olivia Sipsock (Medina/Medina, Ohio) in the 44th minute. Sophomore Cameryn Susey (Olentangy Berlin/Westerville, Ohio) had taken a shot preceding this, and it was blocked. This deflection had reached sophomore Lucia Johnson (Turpin/Akron/Cincinnati, Ohio), credited with her first season's assist off of Sipsock's goal. Sipsock had received the ball and had taken the shot 16 yards back. It found the net in the right corner, giving EMU the lead and Sipsock her 5th goal this season.
While the forwards got praise for their goals, the defense did a less flashy job, but that didn't make it any less important. The Eastern Eagles had another shutout in the game against Akron. The defense stepped up and played with heart and dedication. They had nine shutouts this season, which is the most that EMU has had since 2009.
Sophomore Sarah Van Euwen (Avon Lake/Avon Lake, Ohio) was a defender who stood out this year. She had been recognized as an outstanding player, which caused her to play in every game this season. Out of the eighteen games she played in, she played 90 minutes in fifteen. She had even managed to get a goal this season as a defender. Her talent contributed significantly to the Eagles' success, which will not go unnoticed.
EMU goalie, sophomore Ella Holland (Dunwoody/Dunwoody Georgia), had five saves during the Akron game. This brought her total saves this season to 77. She blocked many shots on goal with incredible placement. She also brought outstanding leadership to the team. She spoke loudly to the players on the field, directing them where to be and what to do.
Throughout this year, you could see that her team had faith in her abilities. They could always rely on passing back to her. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she stayed in goal for every minute of every game this season. This was the first time someone played this much on EMU since Kaylin Williams in 2016.
Each player on the EMU soccer team made an impact. One person specifically brought this team together, Taylor Clarke. Clarke is the head coach of the Eastern Eagles, and he did a phenomenal job this season. This was his first year as EMU’s head coach, and he brought them from a 1-12-6 record in 2023 to a 7-6-5 record in 2024.
He chose to put the correct players on that field. It takes excellent coaching skills to do that because it isn’t all about who has the most talent. He had to choose eleven players that have great chemistry. Most of the time he put into this team was done in private, and humbly, he stands on that sideline as the glue that holds this team together.
Although this was only one game, it was an important one. This win gave EMU its first winning record since the spring of 2021. The Eagles also finished 7th in the MAC tournament, only one point behind Bowling Green. They grew so much throughout the season, and their games were entertaining to watch.
Everyone better look out for the Eastern Eagles next year because they have the potential to go all the way.
