ST. DAVIDS, Pa.- Early goals can do many things for a team. Mitch Osterhouse scored his third goal of the year only 95 seconds into the match, but it was an early goal from Josh Martin in the second half that propelled Eastern University Men's Soccer to an important 4-1 home win over the College at Florham Devils.

Osterhouse converted a breakaway after an FDU goal kick bounced around in the midfield and behind the Devil back line. After the Eagles let several golden opportunities go unfinished, Braden Gross muscled his way to goal for his seventh of the year in the 27th minute to give the Eagles a what appeared to be a comfortable 2-0 edge. 

Only minutes later, Austin Stover nearly made it 3-0 with a low laser off the inside of the left upright. Though the Eagles held control of possession and field position, the lead remained precarious at 2-0. In the 32nd minute, the guests spoiled the shutout with a goal after a failed clear on a corner kick. Sean Moser hit a left-footed half volley that settled into the upper corner to give FDU-Florham (5-11, 1-4 Freedom) hope.

Head Coach Mark Wagner was not thrilled with the way his team finished the half, but was pleased with the team's play after the break.

"I thought our response to the first goal was actually quite poor," he stated, "We relaxed and our speed of play in attack slowed down and we got casual in defense. We were too casual in our play. We challenged them in the locker room to step it up, and our response to the early goal in the second half was much better." 

Eastern had an 8-2 edge in corners and a 13-7 advantage in shots at the break.

The host Eagles (9-4-1, 3-1-1 Freedom) needed the result this afternoon to take an important step toward securing another playoff spot, and Josh Martin all but secured the win with a goal less than four minutes into the second half. Martin took a pass from Osterhouse and pressed a dribble through a defender. He then curled an 18 yard shot into the lower corner for his fourth of the year.

Brandon Reichart completed the scoring on a brilliant transition pass from Sean Bonner. Bonner won a ball in the midfield and found space for Reichart behind the FDU back line with his first touch. Reichart's shot to the upper right corner was plenty good for his 6th of the year.

With 10 points on the year, the Eagles push four points clear of fifth place King's. the Monarchs have a game in hand, but a rough schedule to finish out. The Eagles can secure a playoff spot with a win at Manhattanville on Saturday. They will likely need three points somehow to earn a post-season berth. Eastern's final Freedom Conference game is at Wilkes on Oct. 29.

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