It did not matter that the contest was no longer a conference game. Whenever teams from Eastern University and their Eagle Road rivals from Cabrini College compete, the games always seem to carry an extra shot of adrenaline. The Eastern University men's soccer team channeled that energy into an exciting 1-0 home win over their previously unbeaten neighbors. Brian Raffle scored the only goal of the game in the 84th minute.
Both teams had chances in a very physical first half. The Cavaliers mounted their most serious threats of the half on a series of long throws and restarts. Andrew Jacobs hit a header on a restart in the 13th minute that looked bound for goal, but the ball floated just high. Just seconds later Raffle had his first good chance of the day miss just wide on the near post.
As the half wore on, the Eastern depth began to take a toll on the Cavaliers, and the Eagles began to grab more of the play. Coach Wagner used 18 players in the opening frame, and the fresh legs created several chances late. First-year forward Braden Gross put the visitors under pressure throughout the second part of the half, but all the pressure resulted in only four shots for the hosts.
Eastern seized control of the game to start the second frame,but the Cabrini defense stood its ground in front of Colin Hinkelmon. Even though the Eastern controlled possession throughout the early part of the half, the visitors had perhaps the best chance of the day on a long distribution from Hinklemon after an Eastern corner. The drop-kick travelled well into Eastern territory where Justin McCall nodded a first time shot that hit the inside of the post and bounced out.
Coach Wagner and his staff continued to use their depth liberally. The Eastern pressure and the heat and humidity seemed to take its toll on the visitors. Raffle picked up an uncontested ball in the midfield. When no defender stepped to him, the junior forward pushed the ball out of his feet and cracked a right-footed shot from twenty yards out into the lower left corner for his second goal of the year.
Eastern Head Coach Mark Wagner said of the game, "I was really pleased with our commitment to pressing for ninety minutes. We need to get better keeping the ball, but we showed the right level of intensity today."
Michael Dorsch made two saves to earn his third shutout of the year. The Eagles return to action on Wednesday with another home non-conference game against Drew University. That game begins at 4:00 pm.
Box Score
