Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
Duquesne
0-1-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duquesne | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Eastern Mich. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Soccer Earns Triumphant 3-1 Win Over Duquesne in Season Opener
8/12/2026 8:45:00 PM | Soccer
Synk’s second-half winner and Takacsy’s two corner-kick assists highlight milestone opener
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University soccer opened the 2026 season Thursday, Aug. 12, at Scicluna Field with a 3-1 comeback win over Duquesne University.
The Eagles erased a one-goal deficit and dominated the second half to secure their first-ever home victory against the Dukes. EMU tallied three goals in a home opener for the first time since defeating UIC 3-1, Sept. 6, 2015, and recorded its first three-goal match since a 3-2 win over Northern Illinois, Oct. 26.
Rosalie Takacsy (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) set up both the equalizer and the game-winning goal with assists off corner kicks. Kaylee Synk (North Olmsted, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy) delivered the go-ahead tally in the 71st minute, Christie Fransen (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) scored the equalizer in the 19th minute, and Madison Hurst (Wexford, Pa./Allison Park, Pa.) capped the scoring in the 77th minute.
ELECTRIC GAME-WINNER⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Eb8wknrDQS
— EMU Soccer (@EMUSoccer) August 12, 2026
How It Happened
Duquesne converted a penalty kick in the 13th minute for a 1-0 lead. Six minutes later, Fransen finished Takacsy's corner at the top center of the net to tie the match. The teams remained even at halftime. Synk broke the deadlock in the 71st minute, slotting home another corner from Takacsy. Hurst added insurance less than seven minutes later, finishing a pass from Aniyah Mack (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) for the 3-1 final. Synk and Hurst continued to drive the attack, while Takacsy anchored the midfield.
Ella Holland (Dunwoody, Ga./Dunwoody) made four saves and held Duquesne off the board for the final 78 minutes. Eastern Michigan finished with 14 shots, seven on goal, and seven corner kicks, while holding the Dukes to nine shots, five on frame, and six corners.
Game Notes
» Eastern Michigan begins the season 1-0-0; Duquesne is 0-1-0.
» The Eagles are now 14-9-9 all-time in season openers and have won back-to-back home openers.
» Takacsy recorded two assists, both delivered from corner kicks, to lead all players in playmaking.
» Synk had three shots, including the game-winner, in 27 minutes off the bench and was the only Eagle with more than two shots.
» Fransen scored on her only shot of the match.
» Hurst added an insurance goal on two shots, both on target.
» Mack assisted on the third goal and contributed one shot in 24 minutes as a substitute.
» Holland finished with four saves on five shots faced and raised her career total to 162, which ranks ninth in program history.
» EMU finished with seven corner kicks to Duquesne's six.
» The Eagles committed eight fouls and received two yellow cards, while the Dukes had 11 fouls and no cards.
» The bench contributed one goal and an assist, with Synk and Mack making immediate impacts.
» Attendance at Scicluna Field was 389.
Historical Notes
» EMU leads the all-time series with Duquesne, 3-0-0.
» This was the teams' first meeting at Scicluna Field and the Eagles' first home win over the Dukes.
» The Eagles scored twice in less than seven minutes during the second half.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan travels to Detroit Mercy for a 12 p.m. start Sunday, Aug. 16. The Eagles lead the all-time series 10-9-4 and look for their first 2-0 start since 2019.
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 X (@EMUSoccer) and Instagram (@EMUSoccer).
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Jayden Sharpless
DUQ Jayden Sharpless PENALTY KICK GOAL.
12:07
Christie Fransen (1)
Assisted By: Rosalie Takacsy
GOAL by EMU Fransen, Christie Assist by Takacsy, Rosalie.
18:15
Kaylee Synk (1)
Assisted By: Rosalie Takacsy
GOAL by EMU Synk, Kaylee Assist by Takacsy, Rosalie.
70:47
Madison Hurst (1)
Assisted By: Aniyah Mack
GOAL by EMU Hurst, Madison Assist by Mack, Aniyah.
76:50