ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - Eastern Women's Soccer bounced back in a big way on Wednesday afternoon, recording their sixth victory at Olson Field with a dominant 6-0 triumph over Lancaster Bible on Senior Day. The six goals were the second-most that the Eagles have scored in a match this season.
"It was an amazing day for the seniors and the entire team," Eastern Head Coach AJ Stueck said. "All four seniors shined bright today and were ready to go when called up."
Senior Casey Avello put together one of the best performances of her collegiate career, potting her first two goals of the season, while fellow senior Camryn McWilliams notched her first career tally in the second half. Brynn Rathsam, Cassie Avenick, and Madelyn Mullen also scored for the Eagles, with Rathsam adding three assists. With her performance, Rathsam now leads Eastern in goals (seven), assists (six), and points (20). Additionally, both Jessica Burg and Sarah Wilk recorded their first collegiate assists in the victory.
Avello opened the scoring in the 12th minute off a pair of great passes from Rathsam and Jessica Burg. Burg sent the ball into the penalty area and Rathsam deflected it with her right heel towards the goal. Avello did the rest, punching the ball past LBC keeper Kara Spiezio for the 1-0 lead. Avenick made it 2-0 in the 36th minute, scoring on a left-footed shot off a great pass from Gabi Hollinger at the top of the box. Mullen closed out the first half with a redirection goal off a perfect cross from Wilk, giving the Eagles a 3-0 halftime advantage.
Just three minutes into the second half, Avenick placed a ball over the top of the LBC defense to the waiting feet of Rathsam. The sophomore beat a pair of Charger defenders before depositing the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. McWilliams followed five minutes later, beating Spiezo on the near post, before Avello capped off the scoring with a header off another stellar Rathsam pass.
The Eagles dominated both possession and field position throughout the contest, outshooting the Chargers 24-3, which included a 13-1 advantage in shots on frame. Grace Schreckengast and Isabella Vazquez each played one half, combining for the shutout victory.
"I thought the team played its most complete game of the season, executing the game plan from start to finish, both offensively and through a team shutout," Stueck said.
Eastern Women's Soccer travels to York for a crucial showdown with the Spartans on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 pm.
"We have a massive contest on Saturday," Stueck concluded. "I know the whole women's soccer program is confident to use the chemistry from today this weekend."
