Eastern University Men's Soccer fell 3-0 in the Conference Championship match against DeSales University this afternoon. Three goals in the first 45 minutes gave the Bulldogs a comfortable cushion for the second half.

A restart in the 13th minute set the scoring in motion for DeSales. Senior Cory Horn found classmate Jon Mill unmarked in the box. The senior forward showed great poise and headed the ball home.

"Their first goal was game-changing," said Head Coach Mark Wagner. "Being a young team against a mature team, playing a game away; it was unfortunate to spot them a goal. Their fans were very enthusiastic and I think it really inspired them at that point." 

Just nine minutes later, the Freedom Conference Player of the Year, Derek Long, buried a one-touch shot.

"That goal was sheer brilliance," said Wagner. "His hips were facing away from the goal and somehow he managed to get it on frame. It was a special goal."

In 2009, Eastern rallied from a two-goal first-half deficit to beat the Bulldogs in a Homecoming game in St. Davids, but there were no miracles for this year.

The final blow came in the last minute of the half.  Senior Rusty Helwig passed a ball from the endline into the middle of the box. Senior Sean Baker played the ball toward the left corner of the net and sophomore Steve Krause deflected it into the net. 

"I thought if we could get to halftime at 2-0, we would have a chance," said Wagner. "They might sit back and play defensively and allow us to get into a rhythm. Unfortunately, they got one with a couple minutes left in the half. We knew it would be tough at 3-0."  

The game exemplified a lot of the issues this young Eagle team persevered through all season. Multiple injuries and new positions for many different players caused confusion and constant adjustment.  

"We definitely had some guys hobbling around out there but I don't want to take away from DeSales' talent," said Wagner. "They are a good team and will represent the conference well in the playoffs. Our hat is off to them; they deserve a chance."

But like this season, riddled with injuries and overcoming hurdles, the group will learn and grow.

"As we told the guys after the game, it's obviously disappointing to lose," said Wagner. "But we're just so pleased with the way the guys have progressed through the course of the season. They focused on the process, on doing things the right way: with passion, integrity, excellence and unity." 

Eastern will graduate four stand-out seniors. The group notched eight goals and nine assists this season. More importantly,Kyle Hurst, Kyle Richards, Ben Faro, and Phil Mantua were influential in establishing a mentality for what is a very young team.

"We tell our guys this every year," said Wagner. "Your senior year is the year that you give back everything you've learned in the first three years. Our senior class gave of themselves, gave of themselves, gave of themselves. We have a lot of young talent, but if it weren't for our senior leadership, their service to the younger players, and their modeling, the younger guys wouldn't have grown like they did. That will be their legacy."

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