September 22, 2026 EAST GRAND RAPIDS, MI Skyline entered this season with their sights firmly set on the last week of October. Returning a young, yet experienced core of players, the familiarity with each other shows in their chemistry on the field. However, their visit to Mehney Field was far more contested than they expected. The game started with the Eagles from Ann Arbor rushing to control the possession game and force EGR to defend. After weathering the first thrust, the Pioneers tilted the field to their advantage and earned a corner in the first five minutes. A drag flick from Senior co-Captain Peyton Astrauskas ('27) narrowly missed the upper left corner and left the game tied. Shortly thereafter, the Pioneers fell behind when the Ann Arbor team had two quick tallies midway through the first quarter. EGR set its resolve on mounting a comeback, and after a nearly scoreless second quarter, another corner resulted in Senior co-Captain Avery Albers ('27) sliding a pass from the baseline to the penalty stripe where Lucy Price took it on her curl and powered it past the Skyline keeper. Down 2-1 going into the halftime break with momentum on their side, the game felt like it shifted. EGR kept the pressure on, and Skyline became visibly frustrated with the staunch defense from the Pioneers. After attacking the left side most of the first half with little success, the Eagles decided not to attack the trio of Claire Haskell ('30), Carly Conway ('27) and Toccoa Lepley ('29), and tried their luck on the right side, with much the same result. After a scoreless third quarter, the Pioneers came out with their hair on fire to start the fourth. Less than three minutes into the final stanza, Astrauskas finally found an opening versus the Skyline keeper, lifting a rebound high into the net from about 10 meters, bringing the game back to even at two apiece. EGR continued to press and defend well, but with 9 minutes to go, the Eagles scored a well-placed redirection off of an offensive penalty corner. The momentary let down resulted in the visitors to slot home a quick fourth goal past the Pioneers. With a never say finished attitude, the Pioneers continued to keep pressing to try and get back in the Skyline circle with an opportunity to bring the team back once again, but to no avail. Coming into the game, Skyline was ranked third int he state of Michigan and fifty-fifth in the country. EGR proved that they belong in that caliber of teams with their near-complete effort tonight. Now, EGR looks to carry over that intensity as they take on the OK Conference foe Rockford Rams in a game that will largely determine the OK Conference champ for 2026. Come support the girls at Rockford on Thursday, September 24 with JV tip back at 5:00 and Varsity starting at 6:30 PM. GO East!!!