Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, October 26
Ypsilanti, Mich.
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
6-7-4, 4-3-4
3
vs
2
Northern Illinois
4-9-3, 2-6-2
1
2
F
NIU
2
0
2
Eastern Mich.
1
2
3
Photo by: Joey Wolter
Soccer Earns Comeback Win Over NIU, 3-2
10/26/2025 4:16:00 PM | Soccer
Sipsock scores twice, Marolly nets game-winner
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan soccer team got a much-needed win over Northern Illinois University Sunday, Oct. 26 at Scicluna Field to keep their MAC Tournament aspirations alive, propelled by a two-goal day from Olivia Sipsock.
Sipsock (Medina, Ohio/Medina) scored two equalizer goals in the 23rd and 63rd minutes. Sophomore Maya Marolly (Montreal, Québec/Ecole Secondarie Des Sources) scored the game-winner in the 65th minute.
There are three scenarios in which Eastern would qualify for the MAC Tournament with the conference's final games coming Wednesday, Oct. 29, against Central Michigan at 3 p.m.:
» EMU win: BGSU draw/loss OR Buffalo win over WMU.
» EMU draw: BGSU loss OR BGSU tie with a Buffalo win over WMU.
» EMU loss: BGSU loss AND Buffalo win over WMU.
Redshirt junior Ella Holland (Dunwoody, Ga./Dunwoody/Samford) made four saves in the victory, playing all 90 minutes in net.
How It Happened
NIU struck in the sixth minute as a cross was deflected into the Eastern net.
The Eagles responded about 15 minutes later as a service from junior Rosalie Takacsy (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) found the head of Sipsock and went into the top-left corner of the net to level the match at 1-1 at the 22:32 mark.
NIU countered with a goal in the 26th minute to take the lead, which it held heading into the intermission.
Eastern put forth a desperate offensive attack coming out of the half. They got a break when Sipsock drew a penalty in the box in the 63rd minute, giving herself a penalty kick opportunity to tie the game. Sipsock's shot towards the left post beat the goalkeeper's diving attempt, earning Sipsock her second goal of the game.
With the Eagles offense rejuvenated, junior Aniyah Mack (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills/Austin Peay) launched a high cross towards the far post. The ball bounced off an NIU defender, where Marolly was waiting to strike with a shot of her own, scoring the game winner less than two minutes after Sipsock.
With the pressure flipped on NIU, Eastern locked down its defense after Marolly's goal, allowing only two shots in the final 15 minutes of play.
Game Notes
» Eastern moved to 6-7-4 overall (4-3-4 MAC) while Northern Illinois moved to 4-9-2 overall (1-7-2 MAC).
» Eastern held a 18-13 advantage in shots and a 5-2 margin in corner kicks. EMU's 18 shots are the second-most this season since 22 shots on goal against Robert Morris on Aug. 31 earlier in the season.
» Eastern's three goals in back-to-back matches is the first time since the 2020 season, scoring three goals at Northern Illinois, March 14, 2020, and versus Toledo, March 18, 2020.
» Olivia Sipsock posted two goals in the victory. Sipsock, who scored twice against Akron, Oct. 19, is the first Eastern player to have two or more goals in back-to-back matches since Sabrina McNeill during the 2020 season.
» Olivia Sipsock's nine points over the last two matches are the most by an Eagle since Stephanie Clarke had 10 points in a two-match span during the 2010 season.
» Olivia Sipsock's eight goals make her the first Eagle since Angela Vultaggio (8) in 2014 to score at least eight in one season.
» Olivia Sipsock had career highs in shots (9) and shots on goal (4).
» Maya Marolly scored her first goal as an Eagle.
» On the first goal from Olivia Sipsock, Rosalie Takacsy recorded her second assist of the season while freshman Abby Parsons (Villa Hills, Ky./Dixie Heights) notched her first career assist.
» On the game-winning goal by Maya Marolly, Aniyah Mack tallied her first assist.
» Ella Holland has 258 career saves and sits seventh in program history in the category.
» Junior Sarah Van Euwen (Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake) and senior Secora Johnson (Galena, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) played all 90 minutes of the match. Van Euwen has played 90 minutes in 22-straight matches, extending to the last five contests of the 2024 season. Johnson played all 90 matches for the second time this season.
Historical Notes
» EMU leads the all-time series, 21-8-3. Eastern's 3-2 victory is its first home win against Northern Illinois since the 2020 season.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan travels to Central Michigan University Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. for the regular season finale.
Follow Us
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, continue to visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMUSoccer) and Instagram (@EMUSoccer).
Sipsock (Medina, Ohio/Medina) scored two equalizer goals in the 23rd and 63rd minutes. Sophomore Maya Marolly (Montreal, Québec/Ecole Secondarie Des Sources) scored the game-winner in the 65th minute.
There are three scenarios in which Eastern would qualify for the MAC Tournament with the conference's final games coming Wednesday, Oct. 29, against Central Michigan at 3 p.m.:
» EMU win: BGSU draw/loss OR Buffalo win over WMU.
» EMU draw: BGSU loss OR BGSU tie with a Buffalo win over WMU.
» EMU loss: BGSU loss AND Buffalo win over WMU.
Redshirt junior Ella Holland (Dunwoody, Ga./Dunwoody/Samford) made four saves in the victory, playing all 90 minutes in net.
How It Happened
NIU struck in the sixth minute as a cross was deflected into the Eastern net.
The Eagles responded about 15 minutes later as a service from junior Rosalie Takacsy (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) found the head of Sipsock and went into the top-left corner of the net to level the match at 1-1 at the 22:32 mark.
NIU countered with a goal in the 26th minute to take the lead, which it held heading into the intermission.
Eastern put forth a desperate offensive attack coming out of the half. They got a break when Sipsock drew a penalty in the box in the 63rd minute, giving herself a penalty kick opportunity to tie the game. Sipsock's shot towards the left post beat the goalkeeper's diving attempt, earning Sipsock her second goal of the game.
With the Eagles offense rejuvenated, junior Aniyah Mack (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills/Austin Peay) launched a high cross towards the far post. The ball bounced off an NIU defender, where Marolly was waiting to strike with a shot of her own, scoring the game winner less than two minutes after Sipsock.
With the pressure flipped on NIU, Eastern locked down its defense after Marolly's goal, allowing only two shots in the final 15 minutes of play.
Game Notes
» Eastern moved to 6-7-4 overall (4-3-4 MAC) while Northern Illinois moved to 4-9-2 overall (1-7-2 MAC).
» Eastern held a 18-13 advantage in shots and a 5-2 margin in corner kicks. EMU's 18 shots are the second-most this season since 22 shots on goal against Robert Morris on Aug. 31 earlier in the season.
» Eastern's three goals in back-to-back matches is the first time since the 2020 season, scoring three goals at Northern Illinois, March 14, 2020, and versus Toledo, March 18, 2020.
» Olivia Sipsock posted two goals in the victory. Sipsock, who scored twice against Akron, Oct. 19, is the first Eastern player to have two or more goals in back-to-back matches since Sabrina McNeill during the 2020 season.
» Olivia Sipsock's nine points over the last two matches are the most by an Eagle since Stephanie Clarke had 10 points in a two-match span during the 2010 season.
» Olivia Sipsock's eight goals make her the first Eagle since Angela Vultaggio (8) in 2014 to score at least eight in one season.
» Olivia Sipsock had career highs in shots (9) and shots on goal (4).
» Maya Marolly scored her first goal as an Eagle.
» On the first goal from Olivia Sipsock, Rosalie Takacsy recorded her second assist of the season while freshman Abby Parsons (Villa Hills, Ky./Dixie Heights) notched her first career assist.
» On the game-winning goal by Maya Marolly, Aniyah Mack tallied her first assist.
» Ella Holland has 258 career saves and sits seventh in program history in the category.
» Junior Sarah Van Euwen (Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake) and senior Secora Johnson (Galena, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) played all 90 minutes of the match. Van Euwen has played 90 minutes in 22-straight matches, extending to the last five contests of the 2024 season. Johnson played all 90 matches for the second time this season.
Historical Notes
» EMU leads the all-time series, 21-8-3. Eastern's 3-2 victory is its first home win against Northern Illinois since the 2020 season.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan travels to Central Michigan University Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. for the regular season finale.
Follow Us
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, continue to visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMUSoccer) and Instagram (@EMUSoccer).
Team Stats
NIU
EMU
Goals
2
3
Shots
13
18
Shots on Goal
6
9
Saves
6
4
Corners
2
5
Fouls
9
13
Scoring Plays
Alyssa Stephenson (2)
Assisted By: Kelsi McLaughlin
GOAL by NIU Stephenson, Alyssa Assist by McLaughlin, Kelsi.
05:26
Olivia Sipsock (7)
Assisted By: Rosalie Takacsy , Abby Parsons
GOAL by EMU Sipsock, Olivia Assist by Takacsy, Rosalie and Parsons, Abby.
22:32
Lauren Mrugala (1)
Assisted By: Tyra King , Sarah Roy
GOAL by NIU Mrugala, Lauren Assist by King, Tyra and Roy, Sarah.
26:08
Olivia Sipsock (7)
EMU Olivia Sipsock PENALTY KICK GOAL.
62:37
Maya Marolly (1)
Assisted By: Aniyah Mack
GOAL by EMU Marolly, Maya Assist by Mack, Aniyah.
64:11
Game Leaders
Shots
9
SOG
4
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Soccer
MF
/ SoccerF
/ SoccerMF
/ SoccerD
/ SoccerF
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
D
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