The Eagles drew a #9 York College team that had advanced to the Elite 8 in 2006, and which had been in the national rankings all year.  Revered as one of NCAA's most ferocious counter-attacking teams this year ... the Spartans lived up to their reputation in this game.  The Eagles defended in numbers and showed great courage to stretch a quality York team every minute of the game.  It would take a York goal in the 107th minute (of double over time) to break a 1-1  tie and allow the heavily favored Spartans to squeak into the Sweet 16 of this year's national tournament.

The Eagles began the year with a scrimmage against the Spartans. Neither team scored in that scrimmage, and though it was just a pre-season scrimmage, the Eastern coaching staff felt that they had personnel that matched up well with York.

"We know that some teams thought we got a rough draw by playing two of the nation's finest this early in the national tournament but we didn't, said associate head coach Jim Henderson.  We have matched up with both York and Stevens several times in the past ... all tight games.  We were convinced that with the right tactics our boys could run with both of these teams... and we did.  We may have not had the record but we had the mentality for these games."   

Things looked very good for the Eagles early in the game when Taylor VanBrackle headed home a Ryan Castle corner kick in the ninth minute of the match.  Eastern seemed to hold the key to handling York early on by stuffing York's quick counter with numbers and then possessing out of it.  Eastern was generating solid possession and quality chances.  Although, York outshot the Eagles 6-3 for the first half, it was Eastern's solid defensive shape in front of Michael Dorsch that was the talk of the Steven's Tech's stadium.  Denying York to play inside of the attacking third of the Eastern goal, many York shots were well wide of the mark and from long distance.  Clearly unified, the Eagles were able to hold a 1-0 lead going into the break.

However, it was the Spartans who changed the game in the second half.  Coming out with a renewed sense of passion, the Spartans scraped and clawed their way inside of a solid defensive effort from the Eagles.  The Spartans drew level in the 64th minute on a Mike Whalen goal from in close. The Eagles remained patient and held shape to keep the game level through regulation.  Chances became sporadic for the Eagles as York began to gain control of the game.  Both teams and fans could single out the extrodinary play of Junior goalkeeper Michael Dorsch, who made three of his six saves in the second half and looked to be the man of the match going into overtime.  A couple of those saves were 1v1 opportunities. 

With both teams tiring, OT resembled two heavy weight boxers slugging it out in the latter rounds ... York sprinting forward and then Eastern countering ....  It looked as though the game might also go to penalty kicks for the second night in a row for Eastern, when York's Andrew Wheeler collected a ball off an errant goal kick and was in for a break away.  Wheeler fired a shot off the post in the 107th minute that Mike O'Connell followed up for the game-winner.

"I was pretty proud of our boys' effort for the past two nights, beamed Mark Wagner.  Both opponents went to the Elite 8 last year and returned most of their players.  Eastern has much to be excited about when 5 sophomores and 4 freshman saw significant time this weekend.  The future is bright for this program." 

The Spartans advance to the Sweet 16 with a 21-2 mark.   The Eagles finish the year at 13-6-2 and have recorded their 3rd conference championship in 5 years.  This is also Eastern's third NCAA appearance in five years. 

Box Score