With fall sports in full swing, here’s a look at some of the top Eastern Michigan sports storylines to keep eyes on this week.
Football | Eastern Michigan returns home for Homecoming vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Off to their worst start to a season in half a decade, Eastern Michigan’s football team returns home following a 48-23 loss at the University of Kentucky desperate for a win in their final nonconference test of 2025.
This year’s Homecoming celebration at Rynearson Stadium has been affectionately labeled “Operation Go Green.” For the upcoming game, the Eagles welcome Louisiana-Lafayette’s Rajun’ Cajuns to town on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 3:30 p.m. Viewers can stream all of the action live on ESPN+.
Eastern Michigan have played ULL three times over the past two decades — most recently in 2022, where they were dispatched on the road in Louisiana by a score of 49-21.
Volleyball | Eastern Michigan downs Southern Illinois, Oakland in Golden Grizzlies Invitational
The Eastern Michigan women’s volleyball team continued their red hot start to the campaign over the weekend, leaving the Golden Grizzlies Invitational hosted by Oakland University with a 2-1 record as the program continues to embark on its best start since 2018.
A loss to Xavier University was avenged by back to back 3-1 wins over Southern Illinois and the home Golden Grizzlies, boosting the team’s record to 7-3 after 10 matches.
The Eagles have now won more games this year than they did the entirety of head coach, Kevin Foeman’s, first season in Ypsilanti just two years ago, and now travel to Indianapolis for the Butler Invitational next on their schedule from Sept. 18-20.
Soccer | Eastern Michigan begins conference play against Buffalo
Off to a streaky 2-4 start to open the season, the Eastern Michigan women’s soccer team aims to right the ship at home with their opening conference play against the Buffalo Bulls to kick off Homecoming week at Scicluna Field.
The Eagles are 1-7-2 against the Bulls over their last 10 meetings, with the lone win coming at home in 2019. Last year, the University of Buffalo knocked off the green and white at their home pitch in a close match, 1-0.
Viewers can catch all the action on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m. live on ESPN+.
Women’s Golf | Janae Leovao takes maiden win in The Southern as EMU takes team crown
For the 30th time in program history, the Eastern Michigan women’s golf team has come out on top.
The Eagles dominated The Southern on Sept. 8-9 to take home their first program victory since 2022, with new transfer Janae Leovao stealing the show.
Leovao, who finished ahead of her sister Jasmine Leovao in third, came out on top in a tie with TK Kongthong of Georgia State — marking her first individual win in her collegiate career after finishing runner up three times over the past three years with her old school, Long Beach State University.
Two other Eagles also finished in the top 10 on the leaderboard: Baiyok Sukterm in seventh, and Erina Tan who finished tied for eighth.
Eastern Michigan will next return to action in the Leadership & Golf Invitational, hosted by Seattle University and the University of Washington.