Eastern University Field Hockey earned an important 3-2 conference win in their fifth overtime game of the year this morning against FDU-Florham.  Sarah Garber scored the game winner in the first extra period to give the Eagles the win.

Eastern jumped to a 2-0 halftime lead behind goals from Olivia Derr and Kristin Brownett. Derr opened the scoring midway through the period with a nice finish of an Elya Troup pass on a penalty corner.

Brownett gave the Eagles what seemed to be a safe cushion with her third goal of the year several minutes later. Eastern, according to head coach Camrin Azzarano, settled in with the two goal edge.

The visiting Red Devils shocked the homecoming crowd with a pair of goals just after the break to tie the match. Eastern responded with a flurry of activity, but the Eagles were not able to produce the go ahead goal in regulation.

With both teams plying with seven players for the overtime period, the field position battle became very important in the extra period.

The Eagles forced a turnover deep in the visitor's territory. Garber collected the errant pass and carried it into the circle. The sophomore reversed her stick and placed a perfect sweep into the bottom corner of the cage for the game-winner.

Azzarano said of her opponent, "I think we saw today what life will be like in the conference. FDU really battled. Nothing is going to be easy."

The Eagles improve to 2-0 in Freedom Conference play. Eastern returns to action against a familiar opponent in Alvernia College. Eastern and Alvernia met in the PAC Championship game in each of the last three seasons. The rivalry continues in the Freedom Conference with the first installment at Alvernia at 4:00 Tuesday.