DOYLESTOWN, Pa.– Eastern University Field Hockey came into this afternoon's game at Delaware Valley University knowing that a win would secure a berth in the MAC Freedom Tournament. The Eagles trailed 1-0 at half, but found two second-half goals to collect a third-straight win and earn the fourth seed in the upcoming tournament.

How It Happened:
The Eagles controlled play for the start, but the host Aggies took advantage of a chance when it came. Eastern had the first four penalty corners of the match. Del Val finally earned a penalty corner in the 14th minute. The Aggies scored on their first shot of the match to grab an early lead.

The Eagles (6-11, 4-3 MAC Freedom) had scored 24 goals in six MAC Freedom contests, but the Aggies kept things tight on defense and were effective defending corners in the first half. Though the Eagles had an 11-4 edge in shots and an 8-3 edge in corners, The hosts held a 1-0 lead. That lead could have been twice that, but Marley Redfield made a very good save on a  high shot in the 26th minute to keep it a 1-0 game.

The Aggies had the first chance of the second half on another penalty corner, but Redfield was equal to the task on that play as well.

The Eagles equalized on a play in transition. Becky Howard bumped a ball to Ali Balmer near midfield. Balmer beat her mark to the endline and pushed a ball into the scoring area. All Dickinson hit the first shot and then redirected the rebound for Howard on the far side of the goal. Howard knocked in her third of the year to tie the match.

The tying goal seemed to lift pressure off the Eagles and they began to attack with rhythm and consistency. The Eagles were not, however, able to break through the Aggie back row.

The game-winner came after yet another transition chance. Balmer again earned the chance with a strong run up the left side. Wash put a shot on goal on her feed to the middle. The Aggies made a save, but the play turned into Eastern's 11th penalty corner of the match. Hannah Doll played the insert and Wash hit a blast that found its way through traffic and into the goal for her 11th of the year. Nine of her 11 goals have come in league matches.

Redfield finished with four saves to pick up the win in goal.  

Coach Azzarano Says:
"It feels really good to be back in the tournament. The team earned this opportunity. Our defense was really solid today. Moriah Greene was outstanding, Harper [Sellers] and [Alexis] Gooch were really good as well."

Up Next:
The Eagles have a final non-league match against Arcadia on Saturday. They will play at FDU-Florham on Wednesday Oct. 31. Desales will host Wilkes in the other semifinal. Eastern lost 6-3 to FDU in early October.