Alex Clark has not scored a lot of goals in his career, but each of his goals have come in big spots. Last year, Clark scored a late goal against Stevens Tech to help the Eagles to get to overtime and eventually advance to the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament on penalty kicks. Today, with his team down two goals in a must-win game at DeSales, the senior captain struck again.
Clark's shot from the edge of the box in the 36th minute caught the DeSales keeper off his line and cut the Bulldog lead in half. More importantly, it gave new life to an Eastern squad that appeared to be knocked out by a pair of DeSales goals midway through the half.
Clark has battled injury the entire year, and had entered the game just shortly before. His curling shot dipped just under the bar. Eastern Head Coach Mark Wagner said of Clark's effort. "Clarkie listened to what we asked the guys on the team to do. When he got on the field, he recognized the situation and he took the shot. Our group really came together and played for each other today."
DeSales held a 2-1 lead at the half with a slight 12-11 edge in shots, but the visiting Eagles had picked up hope from Clark's effort and would play with a strong breeze at their back for the second half. The game-tying goal came after Nate Goble picked up a loose ball on the right side of the goal in the 52nd minute. The junior midfielder blasted a ball across the face of the goal that deflected off a DeSales defender and into the net. As both teams were in a win or go home situation for the playoffs, the game took on a furious pace. Neither team would improve their chances with a tie.
Twelve and half minutes later, Alex Schweitzer picked up a ball forty yards from goal, pushed the ball out of his feet, and cracked a 35 yard bomb from straight on to give the Eagles the lead. DeSales pressed with desperate intensity to try to force overtime before Kyle Hurst put the game away with a long distance effort to an abandoned goal with just seconds remaining. The goal is the first of Hurst's career.
The win keeps Eastern's post-season hopes alive. The Eagles need to win at Misericordia on Saturday and have either DeSales or Alvernia win on Saturday. If Eastern wins and both DeSales and Alvernia win, then Eastern would host a Tuesday game against King's College. In the event that only one of the other results goes Eastern's way, then the Eagles would travel to either King's or Manhattanville on Tuesday.
Coach Wagner and his squad know that their playoffs start this Saturday at Misericordia. The Eagles have had some success in Dallas over the years, but the games have never been easy, and Misericordia is enjoying their finest season to date. Wagner said of his team, "We know what is in front of us, and we have a real respect for Misericordia. We will need to find great passion and unity to get a win there, but the way we finished today gives me hope that we can go up there and compete. I was really pleased to see the guys playing for each other and picking each other up today."
Saturday's 3:30 game at Misericordia will follow the women's game between the two schools.
