Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
2-1-4, 0-0-1
Bowling Green
4-1-2, 0-0-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Mich. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bowling Green | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Soccer Records Fourth-Straight Road Clean Sheet to Open MAC Play at BGSU
9/17/2026 10:49:00 PM | Soccer
First time in program history EMU has held home teams scoreless in four-straight matches
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) –
The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team played to a 0-0 draw against Bowling Green State University at Cochrane Stadium Thursday, Sept. 17, with both goalkeepers turning in spotless performances to preserve the scoreless result in the Eagles' first MAC Conference match of the season.
The result extends EMU's unbeaten streak to five matches, as Eastern has not lost since a defeat at Detroit Mercy on Aug. 16. Ella Holland (Dunwoody, Ga./Dunwoody/Samford) played all 90 minutes in goal and made two saves to earn her fourth shutout of the 2026 season, moving her to third in program history in career shutouts.
How It Happened
Holland made her first key stop at the 30:15 mark, turning away a low-center attempt from BGSU's Taylor Green to keep the match scoreless. The save set the tone for a disciplined defensive effort that would define the afternoon.
The Falcons pressed late in the first half, but Holland answered again at the 44:27 mark, denying Gabby Lamparty with a low-center stop to send both sides into the break level.
Olivia Sipsock (Medina, Ohio/Medina) led Eastern Michigan's offensive push, registering two shots on goal in 50 minutes — matching her 2026 season high. Her best opportunity came at the 80:56 mark when BGSU goalkeeper Payton O'Malley turned away a low-left attempt to keep the Falcons level.
A team save off a Lamparty attempt at the 68:38 mark kept BGSU off the board in the second half, and Rosalie Takacsy (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) anchored the back line over 79 minutes while also contributing two shots on the attacking end.
Kate Cerveny (Elizabeth City, N.C./Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies) came off the bench and provided an offensive spark in 39 minutes, registering two shots including one on goal. Her attempt at the 87:23 mark — denied by O'Malley — was the closest EMU came to a late winner, giving the Eagles their fourth scoreless draw of the season and their first in MAC play.
Game Notes
» Eastern moved to 2-1-4 overall (0-0-1 MAC) while Bowling Green State University moved to 3-1-2 overall (0-0-1 MAC).
» Bowling Green held a 13-9 advantage in shots, but both teams were held to exactly three shots on goal. Each side also recorded five corner kicks and committed 10 fouls, producing a rare statistical mirror image across set pieces and discipline.
» Holland earned her fourth shutout of the 2026 season, extending her career total to third all-time in program history. She entered the match ranked second in the MAC in goals-against average (0.60) and third in save percentage (.786).
» Olivia Sipsock led EMU with two shots on goal, matching her 2026 season high. The 2025 All-MAC Second Team selection had recorded no more than one shot on goal in any single match through the first five games of the season.
» Kate Cerveny registered two shots, including one on goal, in 39 minutes off the bench. Her attempt at the 87:23 mark was the closest either team came to a decisive goal.
» Rosalie Takacsy played 79 minutes and contributed two shots from the back line while helping hold BGSU scoreless despite the Falcons' shot advantage.
» BGSU's Payton O'Malley made three saves to preserve the clean sheet for the Falcons. O'Malley entered the match leading the MAC in save percentage (.833) and goals-against average (0.57).
» Attendance at Cochrane Stadium was 354.
Historical Notes
» The all-time series between Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green State University is now tied at 15-15-5 through 35 meetings. EMU's away record in the series moves to 7-7-3 with this result.
» The two programs have now drawn back-to-back meetings: a 1-1 tie at Ypsilanti on Oct. 5, 2025, and this 0-0 result at Cochrane Stadium Thursday, Sept. 17. The last scoreless draw between these two programs prior to this match came Oct. 24, 2024, also at Bowling Green.
» Thursday's result is EMU's fourth 0-0 draw of the 2026 season and first in MAC play. All four scoreless draws have come on the road: at No. 3 Michigan State on Aug. 27, at Robert Morris on Aug. 30, at Milwaukee on Sept. 10, and now at Bowling Green State. The 2024 season produced three scoreless draws in the full season; 2025 had one; 2023 had none. EMU's four scoreless draws through the MAC opener already represent the program's highest single-season total in recent history.
» Cochrane Stadium has been the site of a notable scoreless draw before — the 2019 MAC Tournament Semifinal between these same two programs also finished 0-0 in regulation, with BGSU advancing 3-1 on penalty kicks.
» EMU is now 15-7-7 all-time in MAC Conference openers.
Up Next
Eastern hosts Central Michigan University Saturday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. at Scicluna Field in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Follow Us
For the latest news and updates on Eastern Michigan women's soccer, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the Eagles on social media.
