ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – A tie would not get it done. Eastern University Men's Soccer (12-4-1, 5-2 MAC Freedom) needed a win over the visiting DeSales University Bulldogs to claim the top spot int he MAC Freedom Tournament and a first-round home game. Cade Harmon scored in the 39th minute and the Eastern defense held off considerable late pressure to secure the win. 

After an extended period of possession, Harmon darted into a little space between DeSales defenders to receive a pass from Colin Furlong near the top of the box. Harmon settled the ball and his second touch took him into a more central position. His third touch was a beautifully struck left-footed shot into the upper corner for the only goal the Eagles would need.

Scoring on DeSales (12-2-4, 4-1-2 MAC Freedom) was no small feat. The Bulldogs had 11 shutouts on the year and had allowed only eight goals since their second match. They were unbeaten in their last fourteen matches.

Harmon's tally came late in the half when the Eagles had made several changes through the front six.

"We had a good effort off the back of two really good training sessions," Head Coach Jeremy Payne said after the match. " Defensively we were very organized and we were committed to our overall team shape. As important, each guy on the team did his job defensively. We had preached that when you have a chance in front of the goal, you have to hit it with conviction. Cade's shot was certainly tthat."

Payne was pleased with his team's ability to connect passes in the attacking half of the field against a very good defensive team. Both teams had seven shots in the first half.

Down a goal, the visitors had to push the action of the game in the second half. Jadon Ramsing and the Eastern defense kept the Bulldogs from getting in too close and Quentin Keibler was able to gather up anything that made it through. Keibler made four saves in goal and numerous strong plays to cut away crosses to pick up his ninth shutout of the season. Payne also pointed to the job that Jake Cahill did in working against the Bulldog's top threat for the entire afternoon.

"I thought Cade played his best game of the year today," Payne added. "[In the] Second half there was a little bit more back and forth. I think the result of that was us being up and being a bit more pessimistic defensively. I thought we had chances to make the game 2-0, but we were able to see the game out and get the result."

Before the match, the program honored its five seniors. Sean Dougherty, Brian Plucinsky, and Vanji Moise, along with Keibler and Ramsing have already played in three MAC Freedom Championship matches.

After winning the last two MAC Freedom titles on the road, the Eagles will play at home for as long as they stay alive in the tournament. The Eagles will host FDU-Florham at 2:00 pm on Wednesday. DeSales will travel to King's College for the other semifinal.