Eastern University Women's Soccer took advantage of a strong breeze to jump to a 6-0 halftime lead on their way to a Freedom Conference victory over Alvernia University. Ashley Hackman scored three first half goals in the 8-0 home win.

The Eagles jumped to a lead in the third minute on their first corner kick of the day. Steffie Sauder played the wind perfectly as she curled the corner kick just off the fingertips of the Alvernia goalkeeper at the near post for her third goal of the year. 

The Eagles continued to press the goal.  In the ninth minute, Hackman picked up her first of the day on a strong move on the left side.The senior All-America midfielder beat her defender toward the end-line, then cut the ball back to her right foot. She took a strong touch at goal and ripped a low shot just inside the far post. Just over four minutes later, Hackman struck again as she collected a windblown clear, beat a defender, and raced toward the goal for her second of the day.

The host Eagles still kept the ball in dangerous areas, but the Crusader defense kept the Eagles from stretching their advantage until Eastern earned another corner in the 32nd minute. Sauder rolled the ball to Kara Neef who whipped the ball into the scoring area. Kristin Watson redirected the ball and Tess Beckwith pushed in her first goal of the day.

Hackman finished her hat trick in the thirty-fifth minute after the Crusaders briefly escaped their end. Chrissy Graf picked off an errant pass and played a ball over the top for her senior captain. The three goal performance is the first of Hackman's career. Beckwith finished the scoring at the break with her fourth of the year. Katie Mannion earned the assist.

The Eagles held a 19-1 advantage in first-half shots. Jill DiRenzo stretched the Eastern lead to seven with a goal shortly after the half, and Kristin Watson scored her first of the year in the waning moments of the match. Allison Inch and Kaylena Cromptom earned assists on the second half goals.

Coach Mouw said of the win, "Recently, we have talked to our team about trying to finish at a high rate. When we jumped to the early lead, I think they had to change their game-plan. We were able to find and finish chances. I thought we moved the ball well and kept our focus defensively." 

Amanda Daveler played the first half in goal, and Amanda Smith made a save while playing the second half.

The win assures the Eagles (9-5, 5-0) a spot in the Freedom Conference playoffs. Eastern returns to action this Saturday for their final regular season home game against Manhattanville College. The game will begin at noon. The program will honor its 11 seniors at halftime of the men's soccer game, which will follows.

Box Score