ST. DAVIDS, Pa.- Following a tough overtime loss on Saturday, Eastern University Women's Soccer entered this afternoon's contest against the College at Florham Devils needing a win to lock up a play-off berth. The Eagles (8-5-2, 4-1 Freedom) scored a goal early and added one late to secure an important 2-0 league win.

The Eagles controlled play for much of the opening period with a 7-0 advantage in shots and a 5-1 edge in corners, but the home side was only able to find a single tally in the 10th minute on a good bit of ball movement. Kelsey Doutrich finished the play with a well-placed shot, but a great transition pass from Ashley Graybill into Charlotte Laurie's feet made the play happen. Laurie received the ball in a central seam and touched the ball into space for Doutrich. The goal is the ninth of the year for Doutrich, who has now scored in seven straight contests.

"Ashley's transition touch made that play," Eastern Head Coach Dan Mouw said after the game, "that precision is something that she brings to the table that really helps us. It was good to see Charlotte and Kelsey connect as well."

With the one goal edge, the Eagles applied more pressure and nearly doubled the lead in the 37th minute on a flurry in front of the goal. Emily Roquemore's shot beat FDU goalkeeper Lauren Albrecht, but a defender headed the shot off the line. The Eagles took two swings at the rebound before Bethany Engle's blast went just over the goal.

Despite the huge advantage in possession, the match remained in doubt as the Devils waited patiently for chances. It looked that the chance might come early in the second half as the visitors pushed their line of pressure a little higher and started to create transition opportunities out of the midfield. Alysia Goodman made a save in the 68th minute and had several plays where she had to manage her box to eliminate chances as the half progressed. 

The Eagles had several chances to double the lead, but FDU's defense held in front of Albrecht, and the FDU keeper made saves on shots from Doutrich and Goodman. Goodman's free kick from 40 was just under the bar with good velocity. 

Goodman created the second goal of the match with a quick drop kick after an FDU foray into the Eastern end. With the back line high, she played a dropkick into space for Tess Beckwith, who pushed the ball past the final defender and slotted a pass to Laurie at the near post. Laurie's touch was true to give the home team a cushion with less than three minutes to play.

"They [FDU] did a good job of making it difficult for us to play," Mouw stated, "their game plan was to look for good chances and limit ours, and we were able to execute well enough to earn the win. In the league, when teams know each other pretty well, it is going to be a challenge. We were able to do enough today to get the win, and I am happy for that.

Eastern is at Manhattanville College on Saturday and will play at Wilkes University to close out the conference slate the following Saturday.