The 24th ranked Eastern University women's soccer team dropped a tough 1-0 decision at The College of New Jersey in the Championship Game of the TCNJ Adidas Classic. The loss is the first in five games for the Eagles.

The Eagles held the 2nd ranked Lions (5-0) off the scoreboard until Amy Van Dyk took advantage of an unsettled situation in the 65th minute. The TCNJ midfielder gathered a short clear outside the box and launched a shot at the back post that slipped just under the crossbar.

The Eagles had sporadic possession in the early going, but the TCNJ defense, which has not given up a goal this year, was in the right place to turn the Eastern attack back. As the half progressed, Eastern goalkeeper Aly Goodman made her mark on the game with several solid saves and active box management. 

The Lions put pressure on the Eastern defense from the start of the second half, but Goodman and the Eastern back line were up to the task until Van Dyk broke the tie. Goodman made a spectacular sprawling save in the 74th minute to keep the deficit at one.

Eastern put their best pressure of the match for a final push late, but TCNJ keeper Kendra Griffith was up to the task with a pair of second half saves to preserve the victory for the hosts. Goodman finished the day with a career-high ten saves.

"Aly was very good to day, "Eastern Head Coach Dan Mouw commented, " We have great confidence in her, and it gives our back line that much more flexibility to know she is available to help manage the game."

The Lions finished the 2009 campaign in San Antonio at the Final Four. The program has won more NCAA Tournament games than any other team in Division III Women's Soccer.

"We believe that we grow the most when we encounter great challenges, "Mouw said, "and today was a tremendous opportunity for us to continue to develop as a team. They have a very fast and athletic team that tested us in a lot of ways. We will be better for having played this game."

The Eagles return to action on Wednesday at local rival Cabrini College. The match is scheduled for a 4:00 pm start.