The Eastern University men's soccer team needed to find the goal. They scored once in the first half and twice in the second to earn a 3-0 win at Centenary College on Tuesday afternoon. The win snaps a four game slide for the Eagles.

The first half began with plenty of attacking energy, but an organized Centenary defense and some wayward shooting early kept the Eagles off the board until the 33rd minute. Eastern, who out-shot the Cyclones 17-1 in the opening frame, put just six shots on goal before half. The Eagles' goalscoring drought came to a close following an aggressive run from Terry Fry on the right side. The senior forward earned the end-line and drove toward the near post. Centenary goalie Jason Rogers got a hand on Fry's serve, but Braden Gross pounced on the loose ball in tight and popped in the short shot for his first of the year. 

Eastern went to the break up 1-0. The Eastern staff was pleased with the energy in the opening half and felt their squad got a good lift after finding the net. Gross nearly doubled the Eastern lead in spectacular fashion shortly after the break. After Fry again found space and served a ball from the right flank Gross connected on a bicycle kick that seemed destined for the upper corner. Rogers made an equally impressive save to keep the Eastern lead to one.

In the 61st minute, Drew Bixler connected on his team-best fourth of the year on a nice volley of a Ryan Rohrer serve to give the Eagles an important insurance goal. Eastern picked up their final goal of the match late after Rohrer was upended after earning the box. Matt Demascola buried the penalty kick for the final margin. 

Though it came late, the Eastern staff was pleased with the action of the final goal. Sophomore back Alex Schweitzer started the play in the back on the right side. He found Demascola checking in the midfield. Demascola turned and found freshman Dan Shlelds on the left with a good switching ball. Shields beat his mark and slid a dangerous ball into Rohrer another freshman, who drew the penalty.

Jon Crowder mde a pair of saves in goal to earn the shutout win.

The young Eastern squad will take the momentum from this afternoon's game into their Freedom Conference schedule. They open league play at King's on Saturday evening.

Box Score