Eastern Michigan Athletics
Thursday, August 27
East Lansing, Mich.
5 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
1-1-1, 0-0-0
0
at
0
No. 3 Michigan State
3-0-1, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan State | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Soccer Earns Historic 0-0 Draw at No. 3 Michigan State
8/27/2026 9:08:00 PM | Soccer
Ella Holland makes seven saves as the Green and White hold No. 3 Michigan State scoreless in East Lansing
EAST LANSING, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University earned one of the most remarkable results in program history Thursday, Aug. 27, battling No. 3 Michigan State to a 0-0 draw at DeMartin Stadium without registering a single shot across 90 minutes.
The Green and White absorbed 22 shots and 15 corner kicks from an unbeaten Spartan side ranked among the nation's elite, yet goalkeeper Ella Holland (Dunwoody, Ga. / Dunwoody) turned away all seven shots on goal to preserve a clean sheet that stands as one of the most stunning defensive performances in EMU history. Michigan State substitute Shelby Vaughn struck the right woodwork at the 89:57 mark — with just three seconds remaining — before the final whistle confirmed the improbable point for Eastern.
How It Happened
Holland was tested early and often. She made her first save just three minutes and 26 seconds into the match, denying Renee Watson with a bottom-right stop to set the tone for what would become a historic defensive stand.
Michigan State poured forward throughout the first half, generating nine shots and nine corner kicks while EMU's backline — anchored by Christie Fransen (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster), Reese Carpenter (Terrace Park, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame HS) and Rosalie Takacsy (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) — refused to yield. Holland made four saves in the opening 45 minutes to send the teams into the break level at 0-0.
The physical nature of the contest was evident throughout. Meredith Werner (Broadview Heights, Ohio/North Royalton) received a yellow card at the 41:40 mark as EMU battled to keep the score level heading into halftime. Eastern committed 14 fouls across the match — 10 in the first half alone — as the Green and White fought for every inch.
Michigan State pressed even harder in the second half, adding 13 more shots and six additional corner kicks. Holland answered with three more saves, and the EMU backline collectively defended each set piece without conceding. The Spartans grew increasingly frustrated, drawing two yellow cards in the final eight minutes as the clock wound down.
Michigan State's closest chance at a winner came in the dying seconds. Vaughn, on as a substitute, ripped a shot that struck the right woodwork at the 89:57 mark. The ball stayed out, and Eastern Michigan had its point.
Game Notes
» Eastern Michigan moved to 1-1-1 overall (0-0-0 MAC) while Michigan State, ranked No. 3 nationally, stands at 3-0-1 overall (0-0-0 Big Ten) after the draw.
» Michigan State held a 22-0 advantage in shots and a 15-1 margin in corner kicks.
» Ella Holland made seven saves across 90 minutes, turning away all seven shots on goal Michigan State placed on frame.
» Holland was called into action as early as the 3:26 mark, denying Renee Watson with a bottom-right save to set the tone for the match.
» Eastern Michigan did not register a single shot or shot on goal in 90 minutes, yet earned a clean sheet on the road against an unbeaten top-3 opponent.
» The match featured 20 combined fouls — EMU 14, Michigan State six — and three yellow cards. Werner was cautioned at 41:40; Michigan State received two yellow cards in the final eight minutes.
» Michigan State substitute Shelby Vaughn struck the right woodwork at the 89:57 mark — three seconds from full time — in the match's most dramatic moment.
Historical Notes
» Michigan State leads the all-time series, 15-1-4, across 20 total meetings. EMU's only win in the series came Sept. 3, 1999 (1-0 at East Lansing). Thursday's draw is the fourth tie in series history and the first since Sept. 20, 2009.
» Eastern Michigan last held Michigan State scoreless Sept. 17, 2006 — a 0-0 double-overtime tie at Scicluna Field. Thursday's shutout ends a 20-year drought of clean sheets against the Spartans.
» Thursday's result is the first time EMU has avoided a loss in East Lansing outside of the program's lone victory there in 1999, improving EMU's all-time away record at Michigan State to 1-11-1.
» Holland entered Thursday's match with 263 career saves (seventh all-time at EMU), 15 career shutouts (tied fourth all-time), a career goals-against average of 1.23 (fifth all-time) and a save percentage of .812 (fourth all-time). She holds the program and MAC single-match saves record with 20 saves against Kent State on Oct. 2, 2025.
» Earning a draw on the road against a top-3 program represents one of the most significant non-conference results in recent EMU women's soccer history.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan travels to Moon Township, Pa., to face Robert Morris Sunday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m.
Follow Us
For the latest news and updates on EMU Women's Soccer, follow the Eagles on social media and visit EMUEagles.com.
The Green and White absorbed 22 shots and 15 corner kicks from an unbeaten Spartan side ranked among the nation's elite, yet goalkeeper Ella Holland (Dunwoody, Ga. / Dunwoody) turned away all seven shots on goal to preserve a clean sheet that stands as one of the most stunning defensive performances in EMU history. Michigan State substitute Shelby Vaughn struck the right woodwork at the 89:57 mark — with just three seconds remaining — before the final whistle confirmed the improbable point for Eastern.
How It Happened
Holland was tested early and often. She made her first save just three minutes and 26 seconds into the match, denying Renee Watson with a bottom-right stop to set the tone for what would become a historic defensive stand.
Michigan State poured forward throughout the first half, generating nine shots and nine corner kicks while EMU's backline — anchored by Christie Fransen (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster), Reese Carpenter (Terrace Park, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame HS) and Rosalie Takacsy (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) — refused to yield. Holland made four saves in the opening 45 minutes to send the teams into the break level at 0-0.
The physical nature of the contest was evident throughout. Meredith Werner (Broadview Heights, Ohio/North Royalton) received a yellow card at the 41:40 mark as EMU battled to keep the score level heading into halftime. Eastern committed 14 fouls across the match — 10 in the first half alone — as the Green and White fought for every inch.
Michigan State pressed even harder in the second half, adding 13 more shots and six additional corner kicks. Holland answered with three more saves, and the EMU backline collectively defended each set piece without conceding. The Spartans grew increasingly frustrated, drawing two yellow cards in the final eight minutes as the clock wound down.
Michigan State's closest chance at a winner came in the dying seconds. Vaughn, on as a substitute, ripped a shot that struck the right woodwork at the 89:57 mark. The ball stayed out, and Eastern Michigan had its point.
Game Notes
» Eastern Michigan moved to 1-1-1 overall (0-0-0 MAC) while Michigan State, ranked No. 3 nationally, stands at 3-0-1 overall (0-0-0 Big Ten) after the draw.
» Michigan State held a 22-0 advantage in shots and a 15-1 margin in corner kicks.
» Ella Holland made seven saves across 90 minutes, turning away all seven shots on goal Michigan State placed on frame.
» Holland was called into action as early as the 3:26 mark, denying Renee Watson with a bottom-right save to set the tone for the match.
» Eastern Michigan did not register a single shot or shot on goal in 90 minutes, yet earned a clean sheet on the road against an unbeaten top-3 opponent.
» The match featured 20 combined fouls — EMU 14, Michigan State six — and three yellow cards. Werner was cautioned at 41:40; Michigan State received two yellow cards in the final eight minutes.
» Michigan State substitute Shelby Vaughn struck the right woodwork at the 89:57 mark — three seconds from full time — in the match's most dramatic moment.
Historical Notes
» Michigan State leads the all-time series, 15-1-4, across 20 total meetings. EMU's only win in the series came Sept. 3, 1999 (1-0 at East Lansing). Thursday's draw is the fourth tie in series history and the first since Sept. 20, 2009.
» Eastern Michigan last held Michigan State scoreless Sept. 17, 2006 — a 0-0 double-overtime tie at Scicluna Field. Thursday's shutout ends a 20-year drought of clean sheets against the Spartans.
» Thursday's result is the first time EMU has avoided a loss in East Lansing outside of the program's lone victory there in 1999, improving EMU's all-time away record at Michigan State to 1-11-1.
» Holland entered Thursday's match with 263 career saves (seventh all-time at EMU), 15 career shutouts (tied fourth all-time), a career goals-against average of 1.23 (fifth all-time) and a save percentage of .812 (fourth all-time). She holds the program and MAC single-match saves record with 20 saves against Kent State on Oct. 2, 2025.
» Earning a draw on the road against a top-3 program represents one of the most significant non-conference results in recent EMU women's soccer history.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan travels to Moon Township, Pa., to face Robert Morris Sunday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m.
Follow Us
For the latest news and updates on EMU Women's Soccer, follow the Eagles on social media and visit EMUEagles.com.
Players Mentioned
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/ Soccer
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/ Soccer
GK
/ Soccer
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/ Soccer
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/ SoccerTeam Stats
EMU
MSU
Goals
0
0
Shots
0
22
Shots on Goal
0
7
Saves
7
0
Corners
1
15
Fouls
14
6
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