Eastern, who is used to dominating the game offensively, met their match in the Ducks. The teams battled constantly, but neither defense was willing to give way. The Eagles forced 13 penalty corners, while the hosts forced 14. Throughout the match it seemed as if they momentum could shift at any second.
A Kelby Bolton penalty stroke with 3:53 on the clock was the only goal of an evenly played match. The Eagles held a 16-10 advantage in shots, but both teams had chances to score in all four periods of play.
The Eagles looked as if they were going to take an early lead when Yvonne Herbster nearly found the back of the cage off of a corner, six minutes into the first half. Herbster inserted the ball and after a quick touch at the top of the circle received the ball back at the left side of the cage. However, her lift was denied by Duck keeper, Ellyn Griggs.
The reigning Freedom Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player, Leslie Messick, made outstanding defensive plays in two critical situations in the first half. Thirteen minutes in to the contest, Stevens forced their first corner, but it was Messick who flew out of the cage to meet Marguerite Chavez and block her shot attempt, giving the ball back to the Eagles. Five minutes later, Messick again switched the field for the Eagles after picking up a Ressler save and clearing the ball into the middle of the field.
Eastern got one more opportunity late in the second half. Lindsey Moyer ripped a shot from the top of the circle with seven minutes left in the first period of play, but was denied by Griggs.
The second half was much of the same for both teams. The Eagles and the Ducks traded penalty corners early and often. It was the Eagles defense who would shine the brightest in the second half as they limited the Stevens' offense to only two shots in 35 minutes of action.
The Eagles narrowly missed taking a 1-0 advantage twice in the second half. With 7:34 left on the clock in regulation, Brittany Moyer forced a corner. Sarah Garber took the insert and found Kim Campbell at the top of the circle. Just as the Ducks' defense charged, Campbell slipped the ball down to the left for Lindsey Moyer. The elder Moyer ripped her second hard shot of the game, but the ball sailed wide right.
Eastern made one final push with a minute remaining in the game. Kara Borzillo of Stevens inserted a weak ball to the top of the circle. After a quick touch by the Ducks, Ressler came out of the cage and cleared the ball, which opened up a two on one breakaway attempt for Herbster and the younger Moyer. Herbster drew out the defender and passed ahead to Brittany Moyer who was slashing up the left side of the field. However, Moyer's shot went wide right and the two teams were headed into overtime.
Eastern dominated both overtime periods offensively, out shooting the Ducks 5-3. Lindsey Moyer's heads up ball handling set up the offensive surge that would ultimately end up in a penalty stroke for the Eagles. With 4:30 remaining, the senior All-American pushed the ball up into Ducks' territory. She was momentarily stopped by defender, Elizabeth Zmijewski, but stuck with the play and allowed her teammates to catch up.
The Eagles pushed the ball into the circle and pulled the Stevens goalkeeper, Griggs, out of position. Herbster took a shot, but Griggs fell on the ball creating the penalty stroke opportunity. Coach Azzarano immediately subbed in Bolton, who is no stranger to penalty stroke goals. The freshman from Souderton, Pa. made the most of her first shot of the game, when she sailed her stroke into the left side of the goal just beyond the outstretched arms of Griggs.
After the game, head coach Camrin Azzarano noted the outstanding play of her defense. She said, "We played really well on defense tonight, and we got two key defensive saves in critical situations. I give Stevens a lot of credit. It was a battle from the first whistle right until the end. They gave us all they had and I'm proud of how our team responded and refused to let down."
With the win, the Eagles advance to the Sweet 16 for the second straight year. They will play at Messiah College this Saturday at 11:00 AM.
