ANNVILLE, Pa.– After over 500 days without a game, Eastern University Field Hockey returned to action with a spring exhibition at LVC. With weather in the low 30's, it did not feel like spring, but for both sides, that was probably ok, because the match did not feel like an exhibition either. Neither the Eagles, nor the host Dutchmen gave any ground, and the two teams battled into a second overtime. Lebanon Valley took advantage of a turnover midway through the second overtime to find the game-winner. 

"The enthusiasm from our players was amazing," Head Coach Camrin Azzarano said after the game. "They did not play like it was an exhibition. Our defense was very good throughout the field, and and I think we have a lot to build on going forward."

The Eagles controlled both field position and possession through the early going, but the hosts picked up the lead against the run of play late in the first quarter. In their first trip into the Eastern end, LVC earned a shot, Kylie Troyer made the initial save, but a player in blue was in the right spot to tuck in the rebound. 

The Eagles answered only seconds later. After spending much of their early attack on the right side, the Eagles went left and found the goal. Jenna Lapp shot from just inside the circle with Hailey Ferry set up in front of the cage. Lapp's shot slipped in the back post to tie the game. 

Both teams had chances over the next three quarters, but neither team was able to grab the lead. The Eagles had one of the best chances of the day when Joell Wash drove up the goal line on the left wing and slammed a ball in front. The LVC goalie met consecutive attempts from Morgan Ruhl with bravery and quickness and the chance went unfinished. 

The Eagles started the overtime with consecutive penalty corners, but the LVC goalie turned away a hard drive from Alli Dickinson and a shot from Lily White slipped just wide. 

The Dutchmen picked up consecutive corners midway through the first overtime. Jenna Lapp had a defensive save on the first and Troyer made a strong save on the second. The Eagles picked upa  green card in the final minutes of the first overtime and the already demanding task of playing seven on seven became even more so as the Eagles closed out the first overtime and started the second overtime down a player. Even so, the Eagles had a chance late, but again, the LVC goalie was quick off her line to deny Maisy Dorwart a chance on a play in close 

Abby Apagito made a pair of early stops and the Eagles, but the Dutchmen took advantage of a steal in  transition moment as the Eastern team was moving forward to find the winner.

"There is so much positive to take from this." Azzarano noted. "First of all, a great game. Both teams had chances and both defenses made huge plays. We are working in a new formation, and I think we found it plays to our strengths. We have to find a way to push the ball over the goal line in some of those chances, but I felt we did a great job keeping the pressure on and keeping the ball in our offensive zone for long stretches."

The Eagles will host Hood College next Sunday.