ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– After picking up a huge win at Misericordia on Wednesday night, Eastern University Field Hockey came into today's home match against Stevens Institute of Technology to play into a spot in the MAC Freedom Tournament. The visiting Ducks scored a pair of first-half goals and held off a late push from the Eagles to claim a 2-1 win and improve their standing in the league.

How It Happened:
With a five-way tie for third place, today's matches had tremendous significance in the MAC Freedom. The contest in St. Davids was the only one of the four league matches featuring two of the tied teams.

The Eagles honored senior forwards Ali Balmer and Becky Howard before the match and the extra energy of the day led to a little bit of a frenetic beginning. The Ducks (10-7, 3-3) capitalized with a goal on their first penalty corner of the match. The third-minute tally forced the Eagles to press a little more. The Ducks added a second goal early in the second. 

Eastern had a series of penalty corners and several good chances at the posts in the second, but the Ducks held a 2-0 lead at the break.

The Eagles found renewed energy when Balmer converted a stroke opportunity in the 32nd minute. Eastern had a 9-6 edge in second-half shots but could net find a goal in the run of play.

Coach Azzarano says:
"Today's game was critically important and the girls came in to it knowing so.  Unfortunately, we were a bit more unsettled and played with less poise and composure than needed.  Stevens played a controlled game and found the opportunities on goal we did not.  Ali and Becky are seniors who have shown immense commitment and are role models our younger players will not forget.  We move on and will continue to work to finish strong."

Up Next:
The Eagles will wrap up the MAC Freedom schedule with a game against Delaware Valley on Wednesday. They will finish the regular season at Arcadia next Saturday.