DALLAS, Pa. – Eastern University Field Hockey held 2-1 lead with ten minutes to play, but the host Misericordia University Cougars tied the match late and won on an overtime goal with five minutes to play in the first overtime. The defeat is the third overtime loss of the year for the Eagles.

Alison Hoag put the Eagles on the board in the second minute with her third tally of the season. That lead, however was short-lived. The Cougars (7-9, 4-1 MAC Freedom) scored on a rebound off a penalty corner in the 14th minute to knot the game at a goal apiece.

Eastern had seven consecutive penalty corners after the Misericordia goal, but the Eagles were not able to get a goal that counted. It appeared that Eastern converted one, but the goal was disallowed because it was ruled that the ball had hit a foot on the way to Maya Wales.

Despite the run of corners, the Eagles had far fewer shots and needed eight saves in the first half. Nicole Berger made five stops, and the senior goalie got help from Macey Talhelm with one defensive save and Gina Miller who had two.

The Cougars had early pressure to start the second half as well. Miiller had the first chance of the half on a penalty corner before the hosts put a trio of shots on goal. Berger stopped two and Talhelm picked up her second defensive save of the afternoon.

That work on the defensive end appeared to make a difference when Ali Balmer redirected Hoag's shot on a penalty corner to give the Eagles a lead in the 60th minute.

The Cougars grabbed the goal back on a penalty corner goal two minutes later.

The Eagles had the final good chance of regulation with a pair of corners after time had expired. The Cougars were able to jab the ball free to force the extra frame.

Eastern had won in overtime at Arcadia earlier in the year but was only 1-2 in games played beyond regulation. In this match, the Eagles had all the play early in extra time with three penalty corners and a couple good shots, but as is often the case, the transition goal makes the difference.

The Cougars escaped the zone and wound up in a 2-1 breakaway. The initial shot hit the post, but Misericordia's Colby Eldridge was in position to tap home the game winner.

The Eagles (4-11, 1-4 MAC Freedom) will host Manhattanville on Saturday.