ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – Eastern University field hockey lost a heartbreaking 1-0 2 OT game to Stockton University on Saturday afternoon. A goal in the 87th minute of the second overtime period secured the win for the Ospreys.

"I felt that we corrected a lot of our issues from Thursday night and put forth a great effort out there today," said Head Coach Camrin Azzarano. "I think that exhaustion definitely played a factor today, but we hung in there until the end."

In the opening half, Eastern (0-2) came out looking to make a statement early recording two shots in the opening minute of the game. Hayley Williams got two chances within 20 seconds of each other, but her first shot was saved while her second whistled just wide of the mark.  Williams would have two more attempts late in the half to try and give the Eagles the lead, but both came up empty leaving the score deadlocked at 0-0.

Stockton (2-0) found its offensive rhythm early in the second half testing goalie Nicole Berger early and often. The Ospreys totaled four shots in a span of five minutes including three within 45 seconds of each other. All four times, however, Berger was up to the task keeping the scored leveled.

With just under five minutes left to play in regulation, Stockton was awarded penalty stroke after a foul inside the arc. Berger once again answered the call sprawling across the cage to deflect the ball just enough around the left post and out of bounds. The game would remain tied, and the teams headed to sudden death overtime.

"Nicole was a big factor for us in today's game," continued Azzarano. "We were giving Stockton some good looks, but Nicole kept us in the game with some really big saves. That save on penalty stroke was a huge play for us in the game."

Both teams had quality chances less than 35 seconds into the overtime period. Stockton had a great look less than 15 seconds in, but Williams came up with a solid defensive save. Ali Balmer then raced down field on a fast break but was unable to capitalize leaving the game scoreless. Late in the period, Alison Hoag had a chance in front of the net, but Stockton's goalie Emily Sorochynskyj made an incredible save deflecting the ball just off her foot and wide.

In the second period, Stockton managed to gain possession early and earn a penalty corner. The Ospreys Alexa Massa fired a shot past Berger off a pass across the top of the arc to end the game and give the visitors the victory.

Overall Berger made 11 saves in the game while Shannon Keliher, Alexis Gooch, and Williams combined for four defensive saves. Sorochynskyj turned in a solid performance for Stockton making 19 saves on the afternoon. Williams and Hoag led the Eagles with 12 and eight shots respectively while Balmer took five of her own.  

"We know as coaches we need to keep talking about the key fundamentals of the game," concluded Azzarano. "We just need to remain patient and stay positive and remember the result is going to come."

Eastern travels to Haverford College on September 7th for a 5 PM game.