Eastern University Women's Soccer saw their late season run come to an end with a hard-fought 2-1 loss at #7 Johns Hopkins. The host Blue Jays built a two goal lead and withstood a furious late rush from the Eagles to advance to the sweet sixteen.

Both teams entered this afternoon's match-up on short rest, but the hosts were able to get their starters out relatively early in their first round 4-0 win over Cabrini. The Eagles, on the other hand, had to play from the opening whistle until the final horn to upset #13 Virginia Wesleyan in the second game on Saturday.

The Blue Jays used their back line to swing the ball and put the Eagles under pressure early. Their time in the Eastern end eventually resulted in a free kick 25 yards from goal. Jessica Hnatiuk ripped a left-footed shot to the upper corner. Aly Goodman, Eastern's first year keeper, got a hand to the ball, but was unable to keep the blast out of the net. 

The Eagles began to regain ground twenty minutes in and created a pair of corner kicks on dangerous chances in front that Hopkins players deflected wide of the goal. The Eagles had good chances on both corners, but the second nearly spelled disaster as Hopkins forward Sarah Tankard saved a ball on the left flank and ran at the backs remaining in the back. Tankard made a strong move thirty yards from goal and rocked the cross bar with a 25 yard blast. 

With the danger averted, the Eagles continued to work toward the equalizer. Despite improved possession and some outstanding attacking presence from first year midfielder Kori Wenger, the Eagles went to the break trailing 1-0. Head Coach Dan Mouw said of the first half, "We were under it early, but I felt we had turned the momentum of the game in our favor a bit going into the break. We had a couple chances just before half that we did not release on time, and their backs were good enough to recover and make plays."

The hosts turned up the pressure to start the second half, and were able to create some chances.  Goodman came up with a pair of saves early, and the game began to stabilize. Hopkins picked up the important second goal of the match in the 67th minute on a nice cross and finish combination off their left side. Erica Suter earned the edge and played a ball out toward the top of the box that Erin Stafford finished for her eighth of the year.

Down 2-0, Eastern pushed numbers forward. While they gave up some chances, they were also able to put Hopkins under pressure. Goodman ended with five saves in the second half. The Eagles earned a corner early in the 81st minute, but Hopkins cleared that from danger, and Katelyn Rittenhouse created another great chance in the 84th minute, but Kelsey Doutrich's header went high.

The Eastern pressure finally resulted in a goal with 2:27 to play. Jill DiRenzo slid a beautiful ball into a central seam and Tess Beckwith poked a shot off the left upright and in for her ninth of the year.

With the gap closed to one, the Eagles pushed even more numbers forward and put the Blue Jays under pressure until the final whistle but were unable to get the equalizer. Mouw said of the game, "They are a very good team, their center backs played with great composure, and they have good players in every spot on the field. I felt we played with commitment and some good skill in stretches, but the second tough game in a row was tough. I am really proud of the way we ended the year. We had some tough games this year, but to take the Conference Championship and to advance to the second round again is a great accomplishment for these girls."