For the second straight game, the Eastern University women's soccer team started the game against a team that looked committed putting numbers behind the ball and defending. The Eagles were able to unlock the Immaculata defense for three early goals en route to an 8-1 win to clinch the top spot in the PAC playoffs.

After a series of early chances went begging, the Eagles finally broke through on Jill DiRenzo's school record 18th tally of the year. Appropriately, DiRenzo tucked home a one-time finish of a crossing pass from Ashley Hackman. It is the eighth time this year that DiRenzo has put away a ball from Hackman. The assist on the goal was the 17th of the year for the two-time first team All-PAC performer.

In the 16th minute of the match DiRenzo hit a post on a Nicole Grindle cross, but the Eagles did not double their advantage until the 18th minute of the match. Hackman found her way in behind the Mighty Mac defense and was brought down in the box on a late slide from Immaculata goalkeeper Jess Gabura. Kara Neef converted the penalty kick for her fourth goal of the year.

Two minutes later DiRenzo returned the favor with a nice ball through for Hackman. Hackman finished her seventh of the year to lift the Eagles to a 3-0 lead with 25 minutes to go in the half. The Mighty Macs then committed to stretching the field to try to earn a goal back. 

Eastern struggled to adjust early, but solved the change in tactics with a pair of Kristin Watson goals just 34 seconds apart to close out the first half. Watson scored the first on a nice serve from Christa Clark. The assist is the first year defender's first collegiate point. Seconds later Katie Freeman set up Watson with a nice ball through a central seam. Watson's pair of goals gave the junior forward nine goals on the year. 

The second half opened with Neef firing three consecutive shots before picking up her fifth of the year in the 52nd minute on a breakaway from Hackman. After a series of rough challenges from the hosts, Corie Brant broke through in the 64th minute for her fourth of the year on a run from her left back position.

The Mighty Macs scored in the 76th minute on a Megan Gallagher shot on a corner kick play. The Eagles answered back thirty seconds later when Freeman converted a the Eagles' second penalty kick of the day. The senior midfielder earned the chance at the PK with a nicely played ball into DiRenzo who was also dragged down by the Mighty Mac goalkeeper.

The Eagles, now 13-3 overall, clinched the top spot in the PAC playoffs with today's win, and will take on rival Cabrini College this Saturday afternoon in their final PAC regular season game.