ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Head Coach Kevin Brenner used every second of his allotted time at halftime. After a frustrating opening half where possession was erratic and chances were scarce. The Eagles put together a brilliant second half and pulled away to a 3-0 win over the visiting Pioneers from William Paterson University of New Jersey. Evan Cope scored the final two goals of the match to help the Eagles stay unbeaten.

The Eagles picked up what would prove to be the game-winner on an own goal just over a minute into the second half. Emmanuel Hewitt picked up a big switching ball on the right flank and won a race. He bent an early ball behind the Pioneer back line. A lunging defender tried to keep the cross from reaching Ryan Jammes on the back post. He kept the ball from the rookie forward, but the weight and placement of the cross resulted n a miss touch that skidded just inside the far post. 

"We do what we are supposed to do," Brenner said after the game. "And good things happen. We spent halftime looking at ways to change the point of attack with urgency. Right out of the gate, we got that chance. EB did a good job recognizing the space and being confident with the serve. Those kinds of serves create chances, and we needed that." 

Up a goal, the Eagles put their foot on the gas and created more chances. Pioneer goalkeeper Thomas Hatch had to make three saves in a three-minute stretch to keep his team in the game. The first came with a great kick-save against Jammes on a breakaway. The junior backstop somehow found his bearings to stop a rebound effort from Derek Buhrman at close range. Moments later, Hewitt stepped past the near post to a play a cross. His run drew the defense, but he left the ball for Cope. The first-year forward cracked a one-time chance that Hatch parried wide.

Cope picked up his second of the year in the 64th minute. Nik Kokolios beat his mark on the left side and spun a ball toward the back post. Buhrman won the initial header and guided the ball right toward the center of the goal. Cope timed his run beautifully and poked in the short shot just before Hatch was able to smother the ball. 

Hatch stole another one back in the 72nd minute. Gabriel Velazquez released a dipping effort toward the upper corner from twenty yards. Hatch got his fingertips to the ball and pushed it off the crossbar to keep the Eastern lead at 2-0. Cope delivered the final blow on a close-range off a feed from Buhrman in the 86th minute. 

"We covered a lot of ground at halftime," Brenner said. "It was all very tactical, and there were a lot of good questions. I was pleased with how we responded in the second half."

Dylan Fiore made three saves to earn his second clean sheet in as many games. 

The Eagles (4-0) will take to the road for the first time this year with a Tuesday game at Cairn. That game is the longest road trip in the three-game road spell that includes a local rivalry match at Cabrini next Saturday and a game at Swarthmore on Tuesday Sept. 21.  The Eagles are back at home against Lycoming on Sept. 25.