On August 27, Eastern Michigan University’s women’s soccer team posted a historic 0-0 draw against the nation’s third‑ranked Michigan State Spartans at DeMartin Stadium, ending a two‑decade stretch without a clean sheet against their opponents.
Goalkeeper Ella Holland was the backbone of the performance, making seven saves and repelling every shot on target, a display that added another chapter to her record‑setting career.
Michigan State pressed hard, generating 22 attempts and 15 corner kicks, yet the Eagles’ defense held firm, conceding no goals and limiting the Spartans to a single shot on goal in the final minutes.
The woodwork decides it
With just over a minute left, substitute Shelby Vaughn struck the right post, a narrow miss that preserved the draw and sealed a result that will be remembered as one of the program’s most significant non‑conference victories.
The match featured 20 combined fouls and three yellow cards, including two on Michigan State in the closing eight minutes, underscoring the physical intensity of the contest.
Ella Holland’s single‑match saves record stands at 20, set against Kent State, and her career tally now includes 263 saves with a .812 save percentage, figures that highlight her impact on the program.
The draw improves EMU’s away record to 1‑11‑1 and marks a turning point for a team that continues to build momentum, with its next test scheduled for August 30 against Robert Morris in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.