GLASSBORO, NJ- For the second straight year, the Eastern University women's soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 1-0 win. The Eagles used an 83rd minute goal from Ashley Hackman to advance past the Lyons of Wheaton (MA) College. The Eagles return to Rowan to take on the host Profs tomorrow afternoon for a chance to advance to the Sweet 16. Rowan downed Oneonta State 2-1 in the second game.
First-year forward Tess Beckwith created the game winner with a strong run up the left side, her cross found Hackman just outside the six, and the senior All American was able to find just enough space to pop a left-footed shot into the top of the net for her second straight late game-winner. The tally was the 15th of the year for Eastern's career points leader.
The Eagles controlled much of the action in the opening half as a steady breeze made it easier to keep the ball in the Wheaton zone. Kara Neef had a pair of early chances turned away by Wheaton goalkeeper Lindsay Leddy. Hackman almost picked up a rebound on Neef's second blast, but Leddy was able to control the ball off the wet ground. In the 16th minute, Allison Inch earned a great chance with a clever move at the top of the box, but her shot skimmed off the left upright.
Eastern controlled the play into the break as both teams earned chances as the half finished. Eastern held a 10-3 advantage in first-half shots, but the scored remained knotted at zero.
The second half saw the Lyons begin to push deeper into Eastern territory, but the Eagle back line stood their ground against Wheaton's aerial assault. Wheaton's experienced side has been to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last nine years. They used the wind to escape their end with a host of long balls that put the Eastern back line under pressure throughout the second half.
The Eagles earned three second half corner kicks and were dangerous on each of them. Hackman had one header blocked on the goal line and another go just wide.
Eastern goalkeeper Amanda Daveler made four saves to earn her ninth shutout in the past ten games. Eastern Head Coach Dan Mouw said of his team's performance, "We knew going into this thing that were going to have to work very hard to advance against the quality teams in the Tournament. I felt that our midfield did a great job controlling the game in the opening half, and that our back line and Amanda were able to hold things together under some pressure in the second half. We are a team that enjoys our artificial grass surface, so the muddy track created a challenge for us as well, but I am very pleased that we were able to find the goal in regulation. Tess made a great play on the ball, and Ash was there at just the right time."
The Eagles, who have won a program-best ten straight games, will take on the unbeaten Profs at 1:00 pm. Rowan University Radio will live-stream that game over the internet.
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