ST. DAVIDS, Pa.- Eastern University Field Hockey's two game winning streak came to a halt today as the visiting Alvernia University Crusaders scored late in each period to earn a 2-0 non-conference win. Rainy conditions led to uncertain footing and some unusual skips of the ball, but the two teams battled through the conditions without a tally until the 30th minute of action.

For a moment, it appeared that the Eagles would get on the board first, as Carly Friedman fired a rebound of a Yvonne Herbster shot toward the middle of an empty net. An Alvernia defender kicked the ball off the line to save the goal, and first-year goalie Erin Wunsch made a spectacular stick save on the ensuing penalty stroke to keep the game level.

Alvernia and Eastern have a long history of close games that dates back to both schools' final years in the PAC. The two teams met three straight years with league Championships and NCAA bids on the line. The stakes were lower today, but the game carried the intensity of the rivalry forward.

The Crusaders found the back of the cage late in the 30th minute after the Eagles were unable to fully clear a penalty corner. Sam Landis knocked home her team-best third tally of the year from just inside the circle.

The Eagles finished the half with a slight edge in shots and a 3-1 edge in penalty corners, but Alvernia led in the only stat that mattered.

Eastern held a good amount of possession in the second half, but Alvernia's midfield kept the Eagles from earning the circle, and as a result, Wunsch made only one stop after intermission. The Alvernia offense created seven shots, and their aggression paid off when Lauren Guido guided home her second strike of the year off a rebound in the 69th minute. 

The Eagles return to action at home against Wilkes on Saturday.