ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Field Hockey powered to a third-straight win with a convincing 4-0 home win over the Arcadia University Knights.
Becky Howard scored a pair of goals, and
Nicole Berger picked up her second consecutive shutout.
"We challenged the team to make today a breakout day on offense," Head Coach
Camrin Azzarano said after the game. "We came out on fire and did a really good job of creating chances and sustaining pressure."
Though the Eagles had most of the play in the Arcadia end, they were not able to open the scoring until the 32nd minute. Alli Hoag found what would be the game-winner on the team's seventh penalty corner of the day.
Ali Balmer played the insert into
Hayley Williams on the left side. Williams made a move into the circle and fired a shot that Hoag redirected around the Arcadia keeper.
While the first goal was a long time in the making, the second goal came only two minutes later. Balmer was again involved in the mix. The first-year forward won possession of the ball deep in the circle and knocked a pass to the back post where Howard swatted it home. The Eagles had one more penalty corner before the end of the half but did not get a shot. Eastern had an 8-2 edge in first-half penalty corners and owned a 7-3 advantage in total shots.
Just over two minutes into the second half, the Eagles struck again. The third goal of the match was a thing of beauty.
Marissa Laganas powered into the circle on the right side, pulled the ball back, and sent a reverse sweep to Howard on the back post. Howard redirected the ball home for her fourth goal in the last three games.
Balmer closed out the scoring in the 49th minute. She delivered her team-best fifth goal of the year on an individual effort out of a scrum in the circle.
"I liked we saw on both offense and defense today," Azzarano concluded. "We continue to be calm and composed in the backfield, and I am very pleased with the work ethic all over the field."
The Eagles (4-6) return to MAC Freedom competition with an important home test against FDU-Florham on Saturday.
