WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.– After a scoreless first half, Eastern University Men's Soccer allowed a pair of second half goals and dropped a 2-0 decision to the host Lycoming College Warriors.
How It Happened:
The Warriors (4-3) had the better of play in the first half, but Anthony HItchcock made four of his five saves in the first half. He came up with a sprawling effort on a hard shot from Kalu Ume from inside the box in the seventh minute. The Eagles cleared another ball off the goal line on the ensuing corner. Despite an 8-1 disparity in shots, the Eagles were tied at the half.
That changed in the 54th minute. After an Eastern turnover, the Warriors transitioned quickly and created a goal on a cross from the left side. An Eastern foul in the 75th minute gave the Warriors another chance. They converted on a header from 12 yards out.
The Eagles (3-4-1) had a 7-6 edge in second-half shots, but they were only able to put two shots on frame.
Eastern and Lycoming have each one twice and the two teams tied in the 2016 fixture. As both MAC Schools will be changing leagues next year, this fixture will remain a non-league game even though Eastern is moving to the MAC Commonwealth.
Coach Payne Says:
"We played another good team today. We continue to play programs that have a history of winning. This is a good thing for our program and guys as they learn where their level needs to be. Most of the guys in our program right now were not part of our team last year or in previous years. Fewer have played major minutes. We are having to reestablish our culture, standards, and expectations. Are we upset about not getting some results early in the season and today? Absolutely. We want to win and we don't shy away from saying we want to win. Our biggest concern right now is learning, growing, and bettering ourselves over the next two weeks ahead of conference play."
Up Next:
The Eagles will play two more MAC Commonwealth opponents next week. They travel to Lebanon Valley on Wednesday and will host Stevenson on Saturdyay at 3:00 pm.
