Eastern University Women's Soccer and the Cougars of Misericordia were picked as the top two team's in the final PAC Pre-Season poll for both teams. As a result, opening night of the PAC schedule had great significance for both teams taking the field at Misericordia. Eastern used two second-half goals from Jill DiRenzo to pull away to a hard fought 3-0 win.

The opening frame saw the Eagles apply good pressure early. Chrissy West had an early chance on a through ball from Ashley Hackman, but Misericordia keeper Jen Gregorowicz came hard off her line and collided with the speedy forward and the ball trickled away as both players went down. Gregorowicz was shaken up on the play, but stayed in, and made a nice save on a strong shot from Ashley Hackman.

The Eagles had a great chance midway through the half as West whipped a ball in from the right flank, and Nicole Grindle cracked a volley that skidded just wide of the right upright.

The Cougars put together a bit of dangerous possession near the close of the opening frame, but Amanda Daveler and her back line held together to keep the game level at the intermission.

Out of halftime, the winds began to shift. Almost from the start, the Eagles began to take control in the midfield, and a ball into space out of the middle set up the first tally of the game. West got in behind the Cougar back line on the right flank and pushed hard at goal. At the 18, she cut central on the dribble before leaving a ball slightly behind Hackman. DiRenzo arrived late on the scene, and Hackman let her hit the ball with forward momentum. DiRenzo left no doubt as she buried her fourth of the year in the upper left portion of the net.

Almost immediately following the first goal, the gentle breeze of the first half picked up power and helped the Eagle midfield to keep the game in the Misericordia end. After several close opportunities went just wide, and DiRenzo hit the inside of the left upright on a shot, the Eagles got their big break on a throw in from the left side of the field. Hackman took the throw from Corie Brant, and lifted the ball over her defender. After beating the first defender, the 2006 All-Region selection beat a second defender and dribbled into the box before firing a hard shot toward the right side of the goal. Gregorowicz blocked the ball, but Kristin Watson was charging hard at the goal and headed home the rebound for her second of the year.

DiRenzo finished the scoring on a shot from inside the box in the 84th minute. Hackman again started the play with a clever through ball to West. West then cut the ball back to DiRenzo, who calmly deposited her second of the game and fifth of the year.

Coach Mouw said of the effort, “I thought we played with very good intensity in each phase of the game, and that when our front line was struggling to finish we got tremendous play from our backs in maintaining the organization of the game. It was great to see Jill and Chrissy connect on a couple very nice goals against a quality team. Kristin’s goal was huge for us as well. Kristin works so hard up front, it was great to see that effort rewarded with a big goal.”

The Eagles (3-1, 1-0) are off until next Wednesday, when they make the short trip to Ursinus to battle the Bears in non-Conference action.

Game Box Score