For the first half, Eastern University Field Hockey moved the ball beautifully. The Eagles created scoring chances throughout the frame on the way to a 2-0 lead. The visiting Alvernia College Crusaders put on a similar display in the second half and emerged with a 3-2 win in the battle of PAC heavyweights.

The Eagles got things going early as Jaimie Heck scored twice in the opening frame. The first goal came as Stephanie Moyer found Heck on the back post, and the senior captain from Butler, New Jersey slammed the ball home. The Eagles continued to press and create chances through the period and capitalized on another opportunity as Lindsay Moyer found Heck again on the back post.  Coach Azzarano said of her team's first half,  "It was probably the best we played. The two goals were great, but they only tell part of the story. We were moving as a unit and really doing things well."

In each of the past two seasons Eastern and Alvernia have played each other in the PAC Championship Game, and the Crusaders battled back. The Crusaders took on the role of aggressors in the second frame and quickly cut the Eastern lead in half on a Janelle Lynch goal on a penalty corner. Sixteen minutes into the second, the Crusaders drew level on a goal from Dawn Beiswenger.

As the game moved back and forth as the game progressed, the Crusaders begin to pin the ball in the Eastern end, and they took the lead for good in the 67th minute on a goal from Lynsey Treadwell. The Eagles earned a penalty corner and had a chance to tie the game in the waning seconds, but the Crusader defense stood strong for the win.

The Eagles return to action Tuesday with a non-conference game at home against William Paterson.