Kelsey Doutrich scored three goals and added an assist as Eastern University Women's Soccer scored early and cruised to a 7-1 win at DeSales University on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles scored three times in the opening 12 minutes to seize control of the game.
Though Doutrich scored her first in the second minute of action, it came after DeSales tested Eastern keeper Megan Polulak in the first minute. Polulak, who earned her third straight win, was equal to the task, and the Eastern squad quickly turned to the attack. Katie Ruth set up the goal with a strong run up the right side of the field to beat a pressing Bulldog back line. She earned the endline and ripped a cross into a howling wind that Doutrich headed home .
Five minutes later, Doutrich added her second after a powerful run up the right side by Tess Beckwith. Doutrich brought the Beckwith cross down and calmly placed her second touch into the back of the net for a 2-0 edge. Five minutes later, Doutrich returned the favor with a clever through ball behind the DeSales back line. Beckwith made a move to beat the goalkkeeper with the dribble before tucking away her seventh of the year.
Though the Eagles did not score again in the first half, they continued to press the action. Kelsey Spoelstra narrowly missed a highlight film goal as her diving header slid just wide of the upright in the 34th minute.
The second half started much like the first. Doutrich took a throw in from Carly Inch in the 47th minute and turned to goal for her 10th of the year. Two minutes later Doutrich appeared to be in on goal again, but a desperate tackle resulted in an Eastern penalty kick. Amy Achey converted the attempt to push the lead to 5-0.
Amy Thomas made it 6-0 after Alli Inch put her into space on a nice turn in midfield. First year forward Brady Walsh found the goal for the hosts in the 80th minute. Kelsey Spoelstra scored her second of the year in the 90th minute for the final margin.
"I was really pleased with the way we came out," Eastern Head Coach Dan Mouw commented, "We said before the game that the result was going to be the result of how well we dealt with the wind and the playing surface. We started with great focus and were very efficient in the final third. Tess and Kelsey were very active and in sync today."
The Eagles (10-3-1, 4-0 Freedom) sit on top of the Freedom Conference standings and can clinch a post-season berth when they take on Delaware Valley College at home on Tuesday. That game will begin at 3:30.
