ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – Eastern University Field Hockey scored a goal in each half to claim an important MAC Freedom win over the visiting DeSales University Bulldogs. Nicole Berger picked up her first shutout of the year in goal.

"Our defense was really outstanding today," Head Coach Camrin Azzarano said. "We were very focused and did a great job shutting down their main players." With the defense allowing only three shots, the offense still needed to find the back of the cage.

Eastern's breakthrough came on a three-shot flurry in the 25th minute. DeSales goalie Katarina Polyviou stopped shots from Hayley Williams and Ali Balmer, but Becky Howard was in position to push her second goal in as many games over the line.

Eastern (3-6, 1-1 MAC Freedom) had a 15-1 edge in first-half penalty corners and a 16-0 edge in shots, but the game remained in question with a slim 1-0 lead at the half. The score would remain 1-0 until the 68th minute when Williams redirected a pass from Balmer for her second of the season.

Berger finished with three saves for the shutout win. Polyviou had seven saves for DeSales (3-8, 0-2 MAC Freedom).

Prior to the start of the game, the two programs honored active and retired members of the U.S. Military in a brief ceremony. Azzarano and her team chose to do the 'Red, White, and Blue Day' to remember the commitment of many who were close to the team.

The Eagles will host Arcadia on Wednesday.