ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – Eastern University Women's beat the visiting Manhattanville College Valiants, 2-0, to open the MAC Freedom schedule. Amanda Kelly scored int he first half and Nicole Weenink scored in the second and the Eagles (5-5, 1-0 MAC Freedom) won their third game in a row.

How it Happened:
The Eagles controlled play early, but did not break through with a goal until the 21st minute. Kelly started the move with a good one-time pass to Alondra Cervantes near midfield. After an initial step to her left, Cervantes cut the ball back and threaded a passes forward to Amy Radcliff in between a pair of Manhattanville defenders. Radcliffe looped a pass into space for Weenink on the right side behind the Manhattanville back row. Weenink pulled back the ball back to her left and played a ball into the scoring area. Kelly arrived just in time to one-time a shot to the lower right corner.

The Eagles had other chances, including a disallowed goal on a Zoe Galvin corner, but the Manhattanville back row held together and kept the game within one. Eastern had a 9-1 edge in first-half shots.

While the Eagles still had more of the ball in the second half, Adrianna Rowlands and the Eastern back row had more to do. The visitor's best chance to equalize came in the 73rd minute on a scramble near the top of the box. Rowlands had to tip the ball over the bar and the Eagles had to defend the ensuing corner to keep a clean sheet.

Weenink provided the insurance score in the 77th minute. Radcliffe played a ball into the box from the right flank, and Weenink beat her mark and the Manhattanville goalkeeper to the ball. The junior forward took a touch out of her feet and popped in her third goal in as many games. She has five goals and two assists on the year.

The Eastern back row held the Valiants without a shot the rest of the way, but Rowalnds made one final big play to come off her line to beat a Manhattanville forward to a ball in the box.

Coach West says:
"We played well at times, and other times we struggled to settle the game. When we switched fields we were dangerous."

"Our back row played very well today. It was great to get another shutout as well and I thought Adrianna did great commanding her box. Carli Sitkowski was great in defending and also gave good support to our attack.  She was composed and led the back line well."

"Nicole was able to play in combinations underneath, which gave her some chances to get in behind.  We worked hard today, but we still can get better at pinning a team in their end and controlling the tempo of the game."

Up Next:
The Eagles will play Rowan at home on Wednesday afternoon before returning to league action at FDU-Florham on Saturday. The Profs are 7-1-1 and unbeaten over their last eight games. FDU-Florham (7-2-1, 0-1 MAC Freedom) dropped a 1-0 result at King's this evening. King's scored in the 87th minute in that match.