ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Despite a pair of goals from
Hailey Ferry, Eastern University Field Hockey dropped a 5-2 decision to the visiting Stockton University Ospreys (4-0). The two teams honored veterans, military personnel, and first responders in a pregame ceremony remembering the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
The Ospreys came into today's game with 21 goals in three games. They had the majority of possession early and jumped to on early lead on goals in the sixth and eighth minutes. The first came off a rebound in the circle and the second on a finish at the back post. With momentum on their side, it seemed that Stockton might pull away, but the Eagles found their legs and began to build possession. Stockton had four penalty corners in the first eight minutes. Eastern earned a corner and three shots in succession to find some positive pressure.
Ferry grabbed her first goal of the year in the 12th minute. The junior forward cleaned up a rebound in the middle of the circle after an aggressive save on her initial shot. Ferry touched the rebound around the goalkeeper for her second career tally. She doubled her season total and tied the game with a rip on a penalty corner midway through the second quarter.
Morgan Ruhl played a smooth insert, Ferry received it well and ripped a shot that skipped off a defenders' stick and over the goalkeeper's head.
Ferry had a chance to put the Eagles up on a transition chance in the 27th minute, but Stockton goalie Kylie Mitchell kicked away a low shot to keep the game level. Seconds later, the Ospreys grabbed the lead on a scrum in front of the Eastern goal.
The guests held an 11-9 edge in first half shots, but the Eagles were within striking distance at the break. Stockton carried the action in the third period and grabbed two goals to build a 5-2 cushion. The Eastern defense prevented further damage, but the Eagles were unable to get consistent time in the attacking circle trough the remainder of the game.
The Eagles (1-3) are at Swarthmore on Wednesday and will begin MAC Commonwealth play at Alvernia next Saturday.
