ONEONTA, N.Y.– Eastern University Men's Soccer scored a goal in each half to earn a hard-fought 2-0 win over the University of Rochester in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. First-year defender Kaleb O'Neil scored his first career goal in the 25th minute to help the Eagles advance to the second round for the second time in program history.

O'Neill's goal came off of some extended pressure by the Eastern attack. The Eagles earned a free kick from the right side, and Colin Furlong curled a ball into the box. Jake Sankey hit a good low shot, but the Rochester goalkeeper parried the ball wide for a corner. Furlong had the first attempt on the low corner, but a Rochester defender saved the ball at the post and it bounced free toward the top of the box. O'Neil reacted to the bouncing ball and spun to get the ball toward the goal. His low shot made it through traffic for the 1-0 lead.

The Eagles (15-3-3) did not lead at any point in the MAC Freedom Tournament, but had played well from ahead for much of the year. They had to weather a strong push from the Yellowjackets (9-5-3) in the opening minutes of the second half. Quentin Keibler made a save, and another shot hit off the crossbar, but the Eastern lead held. Keibler finished the match with four saves and the Eagles secured their eighth shutout in the last 11 matches.

The Yellowjackets continued to press as the second half progressed. In the 73rd minute, Cade Harmon caught the Rochester defense on the wrong foot in a transition moment. Eastern's speedy sophomore intercepted a back pass toward the Rochester goalkeeper and tucked away his 11th goal of the year to ice the match.

"It is play's like that," Head Coach Mark Wagner said, "that show why Cade was the Offensive Player of the Year in the Conference. He made something out of nothing."

Wagner noted the efforts of his entire team in keeping good defensive shape when the Rochester started to press numbers forward.

"Credit to Rochester," Wagner said. "They are a very well-coached and organized team and were difficult to break down. Kaleb did a great job getting that ball on net for the all-important first goal."

When the Eagles advanced to the second round in 2007, it was in a penalty kick shootout, so today's win is the first NCAA Tournament win by a men's team since the University joined NCAA Division III in 1993.

Eastern will take on the host SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons (15-6-1)  tomorrow at 1:00. Oneonta advanced with a 1-0 win over St. John Fisher.