Eastern University Men's Soccer saw their late season run come to an end with a 0-0 tie at Misericordia University on Thursday. The top-seeded Cougars advance to the Freedom Conference Championship Game by virtue of a 4-2 penalty kick shootout win. Eastern finishes the year at 11-7-2.

This afternoon's game was the fourth away contest in the last week for the Eagles.  They had to win their final two regular season contests just to take the fifth seed in the Freedom Playoffs. After a come-from-behind win at DeSales on Thursday officially eliminated the Bulldogs from playoff contention, Eastern had to find a way to beat Misericordia and get some help on Saturday. A 96th minute goal from Terry Fry and some help from DeSales lifted the Eagles into the post-season. Fry again made the difference with an overtime game-winner in Monday's 2-1 overtime win at Alvernia in the quarterfinal game.

The game went back and forth throughout the early stages of the match, but neither team was able to take advantage of the half-chances they created. Things looked bleak for the Eagles when, in the 77th minute, the Cougars were awarded a penalty kick for a hand ball in the box. Senior keeper Michael Dorsch savved the shot to keep the game level at 0-0. When regulation finished at 0-0, it seemed that the game might just be shaping up for this team of destiny.

Both teams had chances as the overtime periods went end to end, but neither team was able to find the space to deliver the critical strike. The game went to penalty kicks. Misericordia's senior-laden line-up delivered with four straight makes in the shootout and the Cougars advanced to the next round.

Eastern Associate Head Coach Jim Henderson gave credit to Misericordia for a strong defensive effort saying, "They made several defensive adjustments that worked for them in terms of limiting some of our effectiveness going at goal. They are a good team and have had a very successful year. Tht they adjusted to us speaks well of some of the strong pieces we have going forward."

The Eastern team graduates four seniors who have played an important role in two Conference Championship teams and four winning seasons. The end of this year, however, also looks toward the future as several young players stepped into big roles in Eastern's late season run. Henderson continued, "With our run at the end of the year, our returning players will have a taste of where we can go, but also a healthy sense of frustration about not being there. I believe that our players will respond with a very productive off-season."