ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Soccer (11-2-1) entered today's non-league match against the visiting Stockton University Ospreys without a loss in the last nine games. That unbeaten string looked to be in jeopardy as the Stockton (7-6-3) held a 1-0 lead entering the 83rd minute. Sam Sutherland knotted the score on a cross from Billy Walenda, and Jacob Myers headed home the game-winner on a cross from Cade Harmon just over two minutes later to lift the Eagles to a 2-1 win in regulation.

How it Happened:
Both teams had chances in the opening half, but the game went to intermission without a goal on the board. Stockton had the best chance of the first half on a free kick from the right side. Two Ospreys appeared to have a chance to finish inside the six, but neither could get a head on the cross from Eucario Solano.

Pascal Verna had a chance in the 42nd minute after a clever slip pass from Evan Needs, but the Stockton goalkeeper closed ground quickly and his poke toward goal went just wide. Eastern had three-first half corners, but the Eagles were unable to convert the set pieces into great chances.

Shortly after half, Stockton did convert a set piece. After an Eastern foul at the edge of the penalty box, Solano served a ball past the back post. Villy Fortulus bumped the ball back into a dangerous spot and Christian Bik put the Ospreys up a goal with a short volley in the 52nd minute.

As the second half progressed, Stockton sat deeper and deeper and committed more numbers to the back row. With each player the Stockton bench dropped back, it seemed the Eagles committed another two runners forward. Myers, normally a center back joined Harmon and Evan Needs in the front row as the match moved into the 70th minute. 

Even with the extra pressure, it seemed that the Stockton defense might prove to be just too strong. The Ospreys had tied No. 17 Montclair State last Saturday.

Walenda reentered the match in the 83rd minute and almost immediately found himself in space on the left side. He made a quick move to his left and zipped a low cross toward the back post. Sutherland timed his run to stay on side and met the ball and an Osprey defender on the doorstep. Sutherland got enough of the ball to get it across the line for his sixth goal of the year. 

With the game tied, Myers dropped back into the back row and the team returned to a more balanced shape. Just over two minutes after the match was tied, Myers came forward for a long throw in from the right side. The initial restart did not develop into a chance, but the Ospreys were unable to clear, and Cade Harmon picked up a ball on the left side. He put a ball into the scoring area and Myers nodded home his sixth of the season. the senior center back now has 20 goals in his career.

Anthony Hitchcock made three saves to pick up his eighth win in goal.

The Eagles kept the game in Stockton's end to see out the match. Stockton has a solid record against a very good strength of schedule, so this win could prove to be important if the Eagles were in need of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament or looking to get a strong seed.

Coach Payne Says:
"[This was a] really big win for our program today. We keep trying to build our resume, and we needed this game. Today showed that we can come from behind and win a match. We have a plan on what we want to do in the 2nd half when we are down. I think this plan will create opportunities for us, and it comes down to executing. Jake Sankey did a great job keeping us organized in the back even when we had to chase the game. He has been really good for us all year. He makes our back row better and he does a great job helping our midfield to be on track as well."

"Cade picked up an assist on the game-winner, but he was much bigger than that today. He had another phenomenal game on both sides of the ball. He put great pressure on their defense with his movements and he helped us win the ball back all day."

"Dennis Cosgrove had an excellent game in the back row for us."

"We are excited about where we are at right now. I reminded the guys that we have had an excellent season so far, but we haven't won anything yet, and we need to stay hungry. Sometimes when you win or become accustomed to winning, you forget how hard it is to win. We will enjoy this win, but not for too long as we have a conference game on Wednesday. We must take care of our bodies and prepare well for Delaware Valley."

Up Next:
The Eagles, who have won their last six matches and are unbeaten in ten in-a-row, will host Delaware Valley on Wednesday afternoon. Eastern can secure a home match in the MAC Freedom Tournament with a win. Eastern will finish the week at DeSales on Saturday.