ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Soccer grabbed an early lead against  the Misericordia University Cougars, but a pair of goals around the hour mark proved to be the difference as the defending MAC Freedom Champions pulled away to a 3-1 win.

How It Happened:
The Eagles (7-7-1, 2-2-1) went up a goal in the twelfth minute as a familiar combination struck again. Zoe Galvin found a little bit of room in the midfield and flipped a ball over the Misericordia back row. Nicole Weenink reached the ball before the charging Misericordia goalkeeper and touched the ball wide. She pushed home her team-best ninth goal of the year from a tight angle.

The Cougars, however, found the equalizer five minutes later. After the Eagles foiled a Misericordia short corner attempt by knocking a serve over the end line, the Cougars served the next corner into the scoring area. Kendall Pearage met the ball at the back post and headed it just below the bar for her team-best fifth goal. 

With the win in their face, the Eagles were in defending mode for much of the rest of the half and dodged a couple near misses as Maegan Allspach put one shot off the woodwork and had another two-shot sequence where the Eagles saved a ball off the line and Grace Schreckengast gathered in the follow-up chance.

The Cougars had a 16-3 edge in first-half shots, but the score sat at 1-1.

The Cougars scored twice on crosses from the left side in a two-minute span. The first came on a redirection of a low ball that spun off the far post, the important insurance goal came on another header right under the bar.

Minutes later, Galvin had a chance from 25 out to trim the lead, but Alexis Benedetto was able to parry the ball around the upright for a corner kick. Though the Cougars had the majority of the play, the Eagles had opportunities. Kellie Reith cut a ball across the face of the goal that slid just in front of a pair of Eastern attackers and Weenink cut another ball back into the scoring area for Galvin, but the Cougars were able to defend. The Eagles put all four their shots on frame in the second half.

Schreckengast finished the match with 10 saves.

At 2-2-1, the Eagles will await results of games this evening. The Eagles have held a lead in all five league matches this fall.

Coach Stueck Says:
"That was a good Misericordia team we played, and unfortunately, they deserved the win today. When you play the defending champs, it takes an entire team being at their best, and we weren't able to deliver that today."

"We have a massive game Saturday, and we will quickly refocus so that we bring out our best at home on senior day."

"Nicole and Zoe continue to deliver offensive production. I couldn't be more proud of the two of them."

Up Next:
Eastern will host FDU-Florham for Saturday. The program will honor its seven seniors before the match.