Kristine Zeiset scored a pair of goals, and the Eastern defense earned their fifth shutout of the year with a 3-0 Homecoming win over Wilkes University on Saturday. Nicole Grindle also scored for the Eagles.
The Eagles seized control of the ball early as they held most of the possession for the beginning moments. That possession did not translate into goals until Zeiset connected on her first of the day in the 19th minute. Ashley Hackman started the play with a run down the right side. The senior All-American whipped a ball into the scoring area. The ball bounced to Jill DiRenzo who pushed a pass in front of Zeiset. The freshman midfielder took a committed strike with her right foot and put the ball into the top of the net.
The Eagles continued to control play and saw several chances go unfinished over the next twenty minutes. The decisive second goal of the match came after Wilkes ventured deep into Eastern territory. Hackman took a ball in her own box and released a ball over the Wilkes back line to Allison Inch. Inch pushed the ball wide, and Grindle ran central. After drawing the attention of the Wilkes backs, Inch pushed the ball inside, and Grindle tucked it home.
Coach Mouw said of the second goal, "That goal was big for us for a couple reasons. It was good to see Nicole get a goal; she has really been working. It was also important to stretch the advantage to two goals. We hadn't been finishing our chances, and in a way, we were keeping them in the game. That goal gave us the cushion we needed."
Zeiset scored her second of the day in the 65th minute on a nice restart play. Kara Neef served a 45 yard ball to the back post for Lauren Roe. Roe got to the ball just before it reached the goal line and snapped a volley across the face of the goal that Zeiset volleyed home for her third goal of the year.
The Eagles return to action with a Tuesday home game against Freedom Conference leading Delaware Valley College. Amanda Daveler made four saves in 77 minutes before being relieved by Amanda Smith who completed the shutout.
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