CMU lacrosse loses on the road to Eastern Michigan
The Central Michigan University women's lacrosse team runs off the field at the lacrosse game at the Lacrosse/Soccer Complex on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The team was celebrating their 14-7 win against Detroit Mercy. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
The Central Michigan lacrosse team fell to Eastern Michigan 14-9 on April 4 in Ypsilanti after losing momentum in the second half.
The Chippewas held a lead in the first half, but it slipped away in the third quarter when Eastern Michigan took control just nine minutes into the period. The Eagles maintained that lead through the third and fourth quarters as CMU struggled to gain possession on draw controls.
Central Michigan won only seven draw controls throughout the game, while Eastern Michigan finished with 18.
“They can be physical, and I think we just didn’t show that today,” head coach Katie Vahle said. “They bodied us, so a little bit more physical.”
Despite the loss, Vahle said she saw some improvement.
“It was okay than it was in the past few games, so I’m proud of that,” Vahle said. “But I still think we haven’t shown our best game yet.”
Eastern Michigan struck early, with senior attacker Mackenzie Blackwell scoring less than a minute into the game. Sophomore attacker Emerson Henry followed with another goal less than a minute later.
CMU responded when freshman attacker Mia Bradley scored off a pass from senior attacker Kelsey Barratt, putting the Chippewas on the board.
Later in the first quarter, sophomore midfielder Caye Kalbacher converted a free-position shot with two minutes remaining.
“She’s a force on both ends of the field, that’s why she goes both ways,” Vahle said. “She’s a huge player for us, whether she’s assisting or scoring goals.”
The Chippewas ended the first quarter with a 4-3 lead and held that advantage until two minutes left in the first half.
Eastern Michigan tied the game with back-to-back goals from Henry and Blackwell before halftime.
In the second half, Eastern Michigan continued to build momentum. Junior midfielder Kendall Nagel scored with an assist from sophomore midfielder Katheryn Wilson to help give the Eagles the lead.
CMU had opportunities to respond. In one sequence, sophomore attacker Heather Delbone took a shot off an assist from Kalbacher, but a misplay by the Eastern Michigan goalie resulted in the ball finding the net.
Senior goalkeeper Leila Kahler recorded 10 saves while facing 24 shots on goal from Eastern Michigan.
“I think we’ve put in a lot of new things that are really in the works,” Vahle said. “The past week we’ve been working really hard on them. It showed today, but I still think we have a lot more work to do, which leaves room for the next four games.”
The Chippewas will return home to face Southern California at noon April 6 at the CMU Lacrosse Complex.
