Eastern Field Hockey battled Alvernia as Freedom Conference opponents for the first time. The former PAC rivals battled through a scoreless half hour of overtime before Eastern earned the important conference win in strokes. Lindsay Moyer scored both goals in regulation for the Eagles. Eastern and Alvernia played against each other in the PAC Championship game in each of the past three seasons.

Eastern fell behind 2-0 in the opening eight minutes of the game. Christy Yousaltis scored on a penalty corner goal just two minutes into the game. Moments later, the Crusaders doubled their advantage on Janelle Lynch's eighth goal of the year.

The Eagles instantly responded with a flurry of shots and much possession deep in the Alvernia circle. Eastern held an 8-4 advantage in first half shots, but the visitors were only able to gain two first half penalty corners.

Moyer scored her ninth of the year when she tucked home a rebound of a Sarah Garber shot. That goal gave the visitors energy to start the second half. Eastern earned 13 second-half penalty corners as they fired 16 shots in the second frame. Moyer tied the game with just over four minutes to play off a penalty corner. Garber earned the assist. 

Regulation ended with Eastern holding a 15-6 edge in penalty corners and a 24 -14 edge in shots. Alvernia's Audrey Hoffman made 15 of her 20 saves in regulation.

Eastern fired nine more shots in extra-time. It looked as though the Eagles had tallied the game-winner as Yvonne Herbster touched home a cross from close range, but a whistle negated the goal and neither team was able to break the draw in the run of play.

Eastern, playing in their sixth overtime of the year, would have a chance to earn their second straight overtime win in Freedom Conference play. Kim Campbell and Moyer each snapped their strokes into corners as their Crusader counterparts missed the frame. The Eagles held the 2-0 advantage with three shooters left for each team. Herbster connected on her stroke to put more pressure on the hosts. Laura Ressler made a nice save to secure the win for the Eagles.

Coach Azzarano said of the game, "With all of our history here, this was a really big win. We did not get off to a good start today, but I was pleased with our response. It was a tough break to have that goal disallowed, but the girls responded and made three beautiful shots in strokes.."

The Eagles (8-5 3-0) will return to action at Wilkes University this Saturday at noon.