LANCASTER, Pa.--Braden Gross scored his second goal of the evening with just over six minutes remaining in the second overtime to lift Eastern University Men's Soccer to a 2-1 win over Stevenson University at Franklin and Marshall's Scrapyard classic. First-year forward Pablo Villeda set up the game-winner with a cross from the right side.

Stevenson opened the scoring midway through the opening period on a goal from Fabian Allen. The freshman from Jamaica cracked a missile from 35 yards out to beat Eastern keeper Jon Crowder. The Eagles' senior backstop would not be beat again on the evening, and he made several stops that Head coach Mark Wagner described as "game-saving."

"Jon made a couple great saves on corner kicks," Wagner related, "they served great balls in and he had to make a pair of stops on headers from in close. He played very well."

Gross, who came off the bench for the opener, scored the equalizer near the end of the first half of play. The goal originated from the left side of the midfield. Josh Martin whipped a strong cross into the mix that Gross volleyed home for his eighth career tally. 

Wagner was pleased with the play of his senior forward.

"Braden was our super-sub today," he stated, "he played with tremendous passion and energy and was a real difference-maker."

Neither team found the net in the second half, and the contest went to extra time. Villeda sprinted out of the middle toward the right flank to start the play. He reached the ball and drove a head-high curling cross at the near post. Gross timed his run perfectly, met the ball right at the six yard box, and headed it home for the win.

With their second game of the year in less than 20 hours, the Eagles will have little time to celebrate.They will take on Medaille College (0-1). Medaille finished in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last fall.

"We will see what kind of legs we have left," Wagner stated, "several of our guys were limited by injuries tonight, so we had several guys play all 104 minutes tonight. We are doing all we can to recover, but overtime makes this just a little more challenging."

Wagner cited the play of senior center back Alex Schweitzer.

"Alex was great tonight." he said, " our whole back line played great. When you have two freshmen in their first college game playing in the back line, you have to look at the play of your senior center back. They were very organized throughout."

The Eagles are back at F & M tomorrow to play Medaille.

Box Score