Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
North Dakota
Soccer Hosting North Dakota Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
8/20/2026 4:30:00 PM | Soccer
EMU playing Saturday home game for first time since 2011
| Soccer vs. North Dakota | |
| Date | Saturday, Aug. 22 at 11:30 a.m. |
| Venue | Scicluna Field | Ypsilanti, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) |
| Watch | Watch |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| @EMUSoccer | @EMUAthletics | |
ON THE AIR: Fans can follow in-game updates on Twitter/X and Instagram at @EMUSoccer, with links to live stats posted on EMUEagles.com.
QUICK KICKS:
• EMU opened 2026 at 1-1-0, defeating Duquesne 3-1 before a 1-0 road loss to Detroit Mercy.
• Duquesne win scorers: Christie Fransen (19'), Kaylee Synk (71', GW), and Madison Hurst (77').
• Despite the loss at Detroit Mercy, EMU outshot the Titans 20-7 and struck the woodwork twice.
• North Dakota is 0-2-0 with losses to Minnesota (4-0) and Green Bay (2-1); Hunter Borgel has UND's lone goal.
• Milestones watch: Olivia Sipsock needs one goal to move into 11th all-time (19) and one point to reach 15th (43); GK Ella Holland has 267 career saves and is two shutouts shy of 3rd in EMU history.
Home Sweet Home: Protecting Scicluna Field
HOME SWEET HOME: While Saturday is a road tilt, Eastern's identity is rooted at Scicluna Field, where the program holds an all-time home mark of 139-99-50 (.584), including a 118-84-47 record since the facility's 1999 dedication. The Eagles began 2026 in Ypsilanti with a 3-1 victory over Duquesne on the MONDO UNITE surface installed in 2022.
Matchup: Eagles vs. Fighting Hawks
MATCHUP NOTES: This appears to be the first documented meeting between Eastern Michigan and North Dakota. The Eagles bring a balanced attack and shot volume (34 attempts through two matches) back to Scicluna Field against a Fighting Hawks side seeking its first win.
SCOUTING NORTH DAKOTA: UND is 0-2-0 with defeats to Minnesota (4-0) and Green Bay (2-1). Forward Hunter Borgel has the team's lone goal. Lillian Bashaw and Charlie Basinet pace UND in shot attempts, while goalkeeper Jacinda Hevesy-Rodriguez has nine saves across the opening week.
EMU FORM GUIDE: Eastern split its first week, highlighted by the 3-1 decision over Duquesne before falling 1-0 at Detroit Mercy despite a 20-7 shots edge. The Eagles hit the crossbar (Synk, 34') and post (Hurst, 85') in the setback and have produced 14 shots on target across two matches.
Players to Watch
CHRISTIE FRANSEN (NEWCOMER): Opened her EMU account with the 19th-minute equalizer vs. Duquesne and has started both matches (one goal on one shot on target).
KAYLEE SYNK (RETURNER): Delivered the game-winner in the 71st minute against Duquesne, leads EMU with five shots, and rattled the crossbar at Detroit Mercy.
MADISON HURST (NEWCOMER): Added the 77th-minute insurance marker vs. Duquesne, has started both contests (four shots, two on target), and hit the post late at Detroit Mercy.
BOUNCE-BACK ANGLE: Despite a 1-0 loss at Detroit Mercy, EMU dominated the stat sheet, out-shooting the Titans 20-7 and hitting the woodwork twice (Synk crossbar, 34'; Hurst post, 85'). North Dakota, meanwhile, enters with just one goal and no assists across two games, totaling only nine shots—one of the most anemic offensive starts in the country.
CHASING MILESTONES: Veteran forward Olivia Sipsock sits one goal from 11th on EMU's all-time list (19) and one point from 15th (43). Goalkeeper Ella Holland ranks seventh in career saves (267) and needs two shutouts to move into third in program history.
How to Follow
FOLLOW ALONG: Get updates on Twitter/X and Instagram at @EMUSoccer. Like Eastern Michigan Soccer on Facebook for additional coverage and post-match content.
UP NEXT: Eastern Michigan continues non-conference play later this month; visit EMUEagles.com and @EMUSoccer for schedule updates and coverage links.
