ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Sophomore midfielder Joelle Wash had two goals and two assists as Eastern University Field Hockey kept its postseason hopes alive with a 5-3 win over the visiting Misericordia University Cougars (2-12, 1-4 MAC Freedom). The Eagles scored twice in the first fifteen minutes and never trailed on their way their second league win.

How it Happened:
Eastern (4-11, 2-3 MAC Freedom) came into the game as one of the highest scoring teams in the MAC Freedom. The Cougars, who won the 2017 MAC Freedom Title, had lost a pair of 1-0 games in the league, and despite a 1-3 MAC Freedom mark had only been outscored 4-3 in three matches.

When the Eagles opened the scoring on a penalty corner in the sixth minute, it was a good sign for the home side. Hannah Doll played the insert to Wash at the top. Her shot beat the Cougar goalie but slowed down dramatically after it went off the ankle of a Misericordia defender.

The Eagles doubled their lead in the 13th minute on a nice tip-in from Macey Talhelm on a hard drive from Wash. The Cougars grabbed a goal back on a penalty corner in the 19th minute, and came close to tying the match moments later, but Eastern goalie Marley Redfield made stops on four consecutive shots from in close before the Eagles were able to clear the zone.

Wash delivered the shot of the season with a stunning reverse stick effort over the top of the defense and just under the bar in the 27th minute. She has six goals in her last three matches and nine for the year.

The Cougars scored in the final minute of the half off a transition play. The Eagles had an 11-8 edge in shots  and a 6-2 advantage in peanlty corners, but only held a one-goal lead.

Alison Hoag doubled that lead on a pass from Alli Dickinson in the 40th minute. Hoag added a goal on a penalty corner in the 47th minute for a 5-2 lead. Wash set up the goal on a nice feed from the top of the circle. The Cougars grabbed one back in the 66th minute, but Hoag earned four penalty corners in the final four minutes to secure the win.

Coach Azzarano says:
"We played with great passion and hunger from the start. We had a good focus and we were able to connect throughout the field. Our stick-to-stick passing was sharp today. That allowed us to get out of our end and put presure on their defense for both halves. We put together two good halves and when they scored, we responded. We did not give up consecutive goals today.

"Marley made some crucial saves in a big spot to keep them from tying the game and Alexis Gooch and Harper Sellers cleaned up balls in the circle and in transition. We did a good job limiting their chances in the second half."

"Our seniors showed  their leadership with good goals and smart plays down the stretch. Hoag did an amazing job finishing the match in the circle. Macey's goal was really big to start he match. We are starting to see what Joelle can do on offense. We want to keep this going this weekend."

Up Next:
The Eagles travel to Manhattanville College on Saturday. A win at Manhattanville would keep the team's postseason hopes alive going into the last MAC Freedom game of the year at Delaware Valley next week. The Eagles will need some results to fall their way, but they do own an important tie-breaker with a 4-2 win at King's at the beginning of the month.