MADISON, N.J.– Eastern University Women's Soccer dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker in a critical MAC Freedom test at FDU-Florham (7-6-3, 2-2 MAC Freedom). The host Devils scored the game-winning goal in the 81st minute and held off a late Eastern charge.
The early part of the game was played primarily in the midfield. The Devils took advantage of a transition moment in the 32nd minute to open the scoring. Eastern had a dangerous chance up the right side, but the FDU defense stood its ground and countered into the space on the left wing. The ball wound up on the foot of Kristina Ragolia who struck a shot from just outside the box for her first goal of the season.
That lead held until the 60th minute.
Nicole Weenink earned possession deep in the FDU end. She slotted a ball back into the scoring area.
Emily Cole took the ball off a defender, touched the ball to her left, and shot back to the right for her fifteenth goal of the season.
Cole had a well-struck 22-yard shot sail just wide less than a minute later.
Amy Radcliffe had two headers in a sequence, but FDU goalkeeper Annie George stuffed the second one over the bar. .
"After we scored," Head Coach
Dan Mouw said after the game, "we had some good energy and generated some excellent chances, but we were unable to convert those chance into shots that really tested their goalkeeper."
The Devils scored the game-winner against the run of play in the 81st minute. The Eagles had dangerous activity over the final nine minutes but were unable to equalize.
Eastern (7-8, 2-2 MAC Freedom) has two important league games next week. The Eagles host Wilkes on Tuesday and King's on Saturday.
