DALLAS, Pa.- The host Misericordia University Cougars scored two late goals to earn a 2-0 win over Eastern University in a rematch of last season's Freedom Conference Championship match. THe loss snaps a five game winning streak for the Eagles.
With a steady breeze building as the sun went down, the host Cougars had much of the action in the opening half.The Eastern defense was able to keep the Cougars outside the box, and senior goalkeeper Alysia Goodman managed her box and made six of her nine saves to keep the sheet clean.
The Cougar's best chance of the opening half came midway through the period. Goodman came off her line to cut away a clear and nearly carried over the line at the top of the box. With football, lacrosse, and soccer lines all converging at the top of the box, Goodman dropped the ball and kicked it out of bounds.
The official called said that when Goodman dropped the ball that she repossessed it and therefor awarded an indirect free kick to the Cougars 16 yards out in the middle of the goal. The Eastern wall closed after the touch and was able to clear the ball from danger. The shot differential read 17-2 at the half.
"We knew we were going to have to absorb some pressure in the opening period," Head Coach Dan Mouw related, "they had the free kick and Helmstetter had one free header, but we felt good about our chances at half."
The second half was a back and forth affair. Goodman again stayed busy managing her box and she made four saves, but with the wind at her back, she was able to create transition chances for the Eagles with her distribution.
In the 71st minute, the Cougars broke the deadlock. Misericordia's Megan Lannigan took a shot from distance that took a deflection near the top of the box. Laura Roney was alone in front of Goodman to redirect the shot in for her ninth goal of the year.
Down a goal, the Eastern staff elected to put Goodman in the game up front to work for the equalizer. The plan looked to have promise as the Eagles increased pressure in the Misericordia end. The added field position, however, left more space int he midfield, and Miserciordia's Sam Helmstetter took advantage of that space in the 78th minute with a brilliant strike to the upper right corner.
"Credit to them," Mouw said after the match, "they kept working for chances, and they combine very well. Once they got the first one, we had to do something to try and equalize, it did not happen tonight. We hope to heal up and continue improving."
The Eagles (7-5-1, 2-1 Freedom) return to action at home against Wilkes This Saturday at noon.
Box Score
