Eastern and Marywood both entered today's game without having given up a goal in the league. After a little bit of a shaky start, Eastern put together their attack to improve to 2-0 in PAC play with a convincing 7-0 win over visiting Marywood University (6-2, 2-1). The Eagles got goals from seven different players in the win.
Eastern goalkeeper Amanda Daveler made seven saves to preserve her third shutout of the year. The junior backstop made a huge save touching a Marissa Ruda shot over the bar in the ninth minute. The Eagles were able to defend the ensuing corner and then began to develop momentum.
The Eastern pressure paid off in the 21st minute when Nicole Grindle picked up a pass on the left flanks and slotted a well-weighted ball in behind the Pacer back-line and in front of Chrissy West. West took the space and beat the Marywood keeper to the ball before ripping a right-footed shot into the upper part of the net.
West set up the second goal of the match moments later when she drove a ball deep in the right corner and spun away from defensive pressure before dropping the ball back to Kara Neef. The junior right back cleaned up the pass and delivered a curling ball into the box that Jill DiRenzo volleyed home for her sixth goal of the year.
Kristin Watson finished her third of the year on a ball across the face from West, who had moved over to the left side to finish the half. Eastern out-shot Marywood 9-2 in the opening half.
The second half began with the Eagles continuing to press forward as Ashley Hackman put a header off the crossbar in the opening moments, and West and DiRenzo had hard shots saved. Fifteen minutes into the half, Hackman took matters into her own hands with a dribbling run through the center of the Pacer defense and a solid finish for her second goal of the year.
Nine minutes later Heidi Peachey banged home her first of the year on a 25 yard strike off a beautiful combination from Hackman and DiRenzo. Coach Mouw said of Peachey's strike, "Heidi has been hitting the ball with great confidence in training, and as soon as Ash put the ball on Jill's foot, you could see her eyes light up. We need her to continue to be confident hitting balls from that distance."
Kate Weber scored her first collegiate goal in the 78th minute off a ball played into the box by Watson and dropped off by West. Corie Brant finished the scoring for the Eagles in the 83rd minute on a run forward from the back.
The win puts the Eagles in a tie with Centenary atop the PAC standings. Eastern returns to action Monday with a home PAC game against the College of Notre Dame.
Box ScoreÂ
