Eastern University's Amber Stirling's Game-winner (GoPro) from Eastern University Athletics on Vimeo.
ST. DAVIDS, Pa.-- In the 72nd minute of play, Amber Stirling scored her fourth goal of the year. That goal proved to be enough as Eastern Women's Soccer emerged with a 1-0 Homecoming win over the visiting Valiants of Manhattanville College.
The Eagles, who had played only three of their first 12 games at home, found a comfort level quickly and controlled much of the play in the early going. Despite having the ball for the most of the early minutes the Eagles were unable to generate a shot on goal against a compact Manhattanville defense until the 28th minute of the match. The Eagles held a 7-2 advantage in shots, but Valiant goalkeeper Dolores Diemicke was up to the challenge with two first half saves.
Out of the intermission, the Eagles put more pressure almost immediately. Emily Cole had a tremendous chance in the 54th minute after Lydia Peachey slotted a brilliant pass in behind the Manhattanville back row. Cole touched the ball left around Diemecke, but her off-balance shot slipped just wide of the open net. Moments later, Stephanie Le nearly gave the Eagles the goal they craved on a glancing header off a Courtney Davis serve. The shot from the edge of the six slipped just past the far post.
The Eastern goal finally arrived on the team's fifth corner kick of the match. Davis hit a hard curling serve to the back post. Emily Roquemore met the ball, but did not get a lot of power on her head attempt. Stirling moved toward the bouncing ball and dropped a shot with her heel into the back of the net. The highlight reel goal was the fourth of the season for Stirling.
“That was a great play from Amber,” head coach Dan Mouw commented after the match. “She was on the bench for an earlier corner where we did not get a player into that space. She listened and executed. I am looking forward to seeing what that looks like on film.”
The Eagles (4-9, 1-1 Freedom) held Manhattanville without a shot in the second half and generated several more good scoring chances in the final 18 minutes of action.
“I was very pleased with a lot of the action of the game, and I thought our back row played really well,” Mouw continued. “Courtney [Davis] and Laura [Martin] were creative and disciplined in wide space, and Hannah [Bomberger] and Alex [Imperatore] were very conscientious in their positioning and communication.”
Jules Leco made one save to secure her first shutout win.
The Eagles will travel to Misericordia on Wednesday night for an important Freedom Conference test against the nationally-ranked Cougars.
Box Score
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