Today's game between a soccer team bound for the playoffs for the first time, and an Eastern squad that is a perennial postseason presence would provide clarity to a muddy playoff picture. Eastern used two second half goals to down the Neumann College Knights 2-0 and claim the second spot in the PAC playoffs. Eastern will host Cabrini in Thursday's semi-final. The Knights will travel to Alvernia for a Tuesday quarterfinal game.

Heavy rains during the night and earlier in the day did not impact the field conditions on Olson Field, but the Eagles seemed to be running in mud in a first half played almost exclusively in the midfield. Eastern fired just three shots in the first half to the Knights two. Noah Bartelt turned away the only shot on frame for the visitors, while Zach Ratcliff made two of his four saves for the match in the opening half.

The defining moment of the match came in the 53rd minute after the Eagles earned a throw deep in the Neumann zone on the left side. Senior forward Aaron Tritch, who along with his classmates was honored before the match, heaved a long toss into the box. Nate Goebel jumped to challenge for the head ball, but a Neumann defender deflected the ball. Scott Patrick seized the chance and threw himself at the bouncing ball and nodded the ball home for his third game-winning goal of the year.

In the 69th minute, the Eagles picked up an insurance goal off some improvisation after a corner kick. Terry Fry took a low corner from the right side that Kyle Hurst hit off a Knight defender. Fry opened up and picked up a pass on the right side. The sophomore midfielder made a couple quick moves to open a crossing window and blistered a bending ball across the face that Taylor VanBrackle headed into the lower left corner. The tally is the sixth of the year for VanBrackle.

Michael Dorsch played the second half in goal for the Eagles. Eastern out-shot their guests 8-2 in the second half.

Eastern will take on Cabrini College Thursday afternoon at 2:00.