The Eastern University field hockey team returned to the win column on Thursday evening as they defeated Widener University 1-0 in a non-conference match up.
Widener, on their home field, pressured the Eagles early. The Pride opened the first five minutes of the match with two shots on goal and a penalty corner. Eastern's goalie Laura Ressler picked up two quick saves and then watched her offense go to work.
The Eagles were able to control the ball for most of the first half. Lindsay Moyer fired off three consecutive shots ten minutes into the match, but came away empty as Widener's goalie Megan Purcell stepped up to deflect the shots. The offensive onslaught would continue for the Eagles throughout the first half. The Widener defense would not give in as the first half ended in a scoreless deadlock.
Eastern started the second half off with two penalty corners, but were unable to convert. It wasn't until six minutes into the half that Yvonne Herbster was able to slice up the left side of the Widener defense. Herbster proceeded to cut to the middle and beat Purcell, depositing the ball just inside the right post.
After a Moyer shot hit the post two minutes after Herbster's goal, the Pride attempted to mount a comeback. Widener forced three straight penalty corners, followed by five straight shots (three on goal). Leslie Messick was able to poke the ball away on the second penalty corner attempt by the Pride and Danielle Danser cleared the ball on the third to eliminate any chance of Widener converting.
Ressler was a wall in the cage, coming away with three key saves including two on consecutive shots by Widener's Megan Scarpinato and Jackie Elliott. Ressler finished the match with five saves.
The Eagles continued to try to add to their lead and almost converted late in the second half. Kelby Bolton ripped an initial shot from the top of the circle that was quickly deflected by Purcell. Rather than leave the ball for a Widener defender, Bolton followed her shot and picked it up for a backhand flip. The shot sailed above the cage, missing by inches.
Eastern's aggressive offense kept the ball on Widener's side of the field for the better part of the match. The Eagles outshot the Pride 14-7 and out numbered them in penalty corner attempts: 16-7. Widener's defense fought hard to keep the Eagles' scoring at a minimum, finishing with six defensive saves in addition to Purcell's five.
Eastern hits the road again on Saturday, facing off against Neumann University in Aston, Pa. Match time is set for 1:00 PM. The Eagles return home on Tuesday, September 22 for a 4:00 PM match against William Patterson.
