CHESTER, Pa. – Eastern University Men's Soccer saw its unbeaten run to start the spring stopped by a 2-1 loss at Widener University. Gabe Velazquez scored the only goal of the match for the Eagles who fall to 2-1 on the season.

The Eagles had more of the play through the opening 45 minutes, but neither team created great chances, and a physical first half ended with the score tied at 0-0.

The Pride converted a penalty kick to grab the lead in the second half and doubled the advantage on a header at the back post. 

Down 2-0, the Eagles responded almost immediately. Jeremy Barnes-bey slid a ball forward on the right side. Aiden Link gathered the pass in a deep area and played a strong cross into the scoring area where it looked like Derek Buhrman would have a chance. Buhrman let the ball go and Velazquez curled a shot inside the near post to halve the Widener lead.

The Eagles threw pressure forward in the waning moments, but the Pride held its ground to secure the result. 

"Credit to Widener," Head Coach Kevin Brenner said after the match. "They were able to dictate the pace and physicality of the match, and we did not match it. We found a spark late, but that is not who we are or who we want to be. We need to be ready to play right at the start of the contest every time out. This was a valuable lesson for our young squad. I believe we will learn from this and be ready fro Stevens next weekend."

The Eagles host Stevens Institute of Technology on Olson Field next Saturday at 4:30. The Ducks were the regular-season champions and top seed in the 2019 MAC Freedom Tournament.