Things started beautifully. Eastern University Women's Soccer scored an early goal, and built a 2-0 edge early in the second half, but the visiting Manhattanville Valiants equalized with a pair of goals in a five minute span and advanced to the Freedom Conference Championship match on Saturday at FDU-Florham.

The Eagles jumped to a 1-0 lead on their second corner kick of the match. Carly Inch served the ball to the back post where Tess Beckwith re-served the ball across the face. Kelsey Doutrich attacked the header for her team-best 17th goal of the year.

Though the home side held a 7-2 edge in first half shots, the Valiants kept the edge at one at intermission. Out of the break, the Eagles attacked the goal with abandon, but Manhattanville senior goalkeeper Ali Bromson made a pair of early saves against Tess Beckwith, and the Valiant defense turned away numerous dangerous serves.

Beckwith found the net for a two goal edge in the 59th minute off a beautifully weighted pass from Kristine Zeiset. Beckwith's volley floated into the top of the net after Bromson came out to intercept the pass. With the two goal edge, the game seemed safe, but the Valiants, looked to their standout forward Holly Nonis to make a play.

Nonis jumped to a long through ball from Morgan Rebollal for a breakaway in the 65th minute and found a nearly identical goal in the 70th. 

Though the Eagles held all the play over the final 20 minutes of the game, they were unable to capitalize on numerous scoring chances and for the third time in as many games, the Eagles went to overtime. The Eagles had a 10-3 advantage in shots in the second half of the match, but Nonis made her two efforts count.

The overtimes looked very similar to the final minutes of regulation, but the Valiant back line stood tall, and the Eagles were unable to push another ball past Bromson.

"We had our chances," Eastern head Coach Dan Mouw said after the game, "It is hard to generate a lead in this game, and we needed to do more to hold it. Once they tied the game up, they were very comfortable playing to stop us, and we were not able to create enough positive action in the game."

The Valiants were dead on on their PK's as four straight shots went to corners. Bromson made a diving save on the second Eastern shot, and the third Eastern attempt hit the woodwork and went wide.

"After a day like today, "Mouw said, "You have to move forward. We have a significant portion of our roster returning for next year, and I think each returning player will use this as we try to improve ourselves."

The Eagles (13-4-2) have been to the NCAA Tournament and won at least one game in each of the past three years have the faintest glimmer of hope for an at-large selection to the dance. Announcements about those selections will be released on Sunday evening. Manhttanville (3-14-3) will look to repeat their storybook run of 2007 where they made the NCAA tournament after opening the year with 11 straight losses.