WILKES-BARRE, Pa.– Eastern University Field Hockey traveled to King's for a rare Friday night game. Ali Balmer and Alison Hoag each scored twice to lift the Eagles to a 4-2 MAC Freedom win. 

How it Happened:
The Eagles scored twice in a two-minute stretch to open the scoring. Ali Balmer opened the scoring early in the seventh minute by cleaning up a ball off the goalie's pads. Hoag doubled the Eastern edge in the ninth minute off a cross by Becky Howard.

The Monarchs (6-8, 2-1 MAC Freedom) took a time out, and the break showed dividends nearly immediately when King's scored with 9:30 on the clock. King's had a 10-7 edge in shots and a 7-6 edge in penalty corners through 35 minutes, but the Eagles held the 2-1 lead at the break.

Out of the intermission, Hoag buried her tenth goal of the year. The senior midfielder took a pass from Macey Talhelm on a quick restart and worked through traffic on the right side on her way to goal. She put seven shots on goal in the match. She started the season with nine career goals. 

The 3-1 lead stood for nearly 13 minutes, but the Monarchs scored in transition with a little more than 20 minutes left to close the gap back to a goal.

Balmer answered with her fifth of the season less than three minutes later. The junior midfielder took a pass on a quick restart from Talhelm and weaved toward goal. She worked her way through several defenders on the left side before
 

Hoag got her second goal of the game within the first two minutes of the second half (36:14). Talhelm initiated a free hit from above the 25. She slipped the ball to Hoag who ran baseline and slipped another ball in the back of the cage. 

Balmer's second goal of the game (52:24) also originated from a quick restart by Talhelm in the middle of the field.  Talhelm gave a split pass through two defenders. Balmer dodged multiple defenders in the circle and finished the play with a stroke shot.

Marley Redfield had ten saves and Harper Sellers added a pair of defensive saves in support. While King's had several chances to cut into the Eastern lead, the Eagles also had chances to push the edge to three goals. The win snaps a four-game skid for the Eagles (3-9, 1-2 MAC Freedom)

Coach Azzarano Says:

"We are excited for a conference win, but we are also thinking about how we can improve for our next competition. We connected well in multiple smooth passing patterns which generated our ability to attack."

"We need to capitalize on our offensive corners. We had ten today and did not score. We need to execute on each opportunity to give ourselves the best chance to score. The defensive unit managed to shut down Kings' 15 corners, but we cannot afford to give an opponent that many opportunities to attack against only part of our defense. Marley came up with some big saves."

"We walk away tonight with rejuvenated spirits. It is a big boost to come up here for a big night game and to walk away with a win."

Up Next:
The Eagles will travel to Alvernia for a non-league match with great historic significance. It will be the 31st meeting between the two programs since 1991. While Eastern holds an 18-12 advantage overall, Alvernia won the last two meetings between the two programs.