CHESTER, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Soccer dropped its season-opening match at Widener. After giving up a penalty kick goal in the first half, the Eagles carried much of the play in the second half, but the host Pride added a counter-attack goal in the 68th minute for the final margin.

The Pride had several chances early, but Adrianna Rowlands made three strong saves in the opening ten minutes to keep the game level.

Eastern had its first great chance of the match in the 22nd minute after Nicole Weenink earned a corner kick. Courtney Davis served the ball to the back post. Carli Sitkowski was there to meet the ball, but a late deflection pushed the ball just behind her.

The Pride grabbed the lead in the 25th minute. After a turnover deep in the Eastern end, a Widener forward found space in behind the Eastern back row. A desperate recovery attempt resulted in a penalty kick for the home team. Shea Scannell converted the shot for a 1-0 lead.

Widener had a 10-1 advantage in shots through the first half, but the Eagles had an excellent chance to tie on their second corner kick of the half. Alondra Cervantes ripped a volley just over the bar on a chance at the back post.

The game seemed to change after the break. The Eagles had more of the ball and moved into deeper positions on the field. Weenink beat her mark on the left side and fired a shot at the near post. The Widener goalkeeper pushed the ball wide of the post for a corner kick.

The corner kick again looked dangerous as Caroline Lozzi won a contested header in the middle of the box and Cervantes was lining up another shot when the game was stopped for an injury.

Brielle Errico put the Pride up 2-0 with a solo run to goal against the run of play in the 68th minute.

Eastern had a 5-3 advantage in second-half shots. Widener only put one shot on goal in the second half. The Eagles had dangerous chances on each of their four corner kicks in the match.

The Eagles (0-1) return to action at Swarthmore College on Sunday afternoon.