ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Soccer and the visiting Lycoming College Warriors battled to a goalless draw in an important non-league match for a both sides. The Eagles (6-1-1) had a 16-15 edge in shots, but only put two on frame in 110 minutes. Diesel Fiore made five stops to secure the shutout.

The Warriors (4-2-2) came into this afternoon's test having scored eight goals and only allowing five. The Eastern attack had generated just over two goals per match, but the two sides have each shown commitment to defending over the course of the year. With regional rankings on the line, the two sides were unwilling to make a critical error in the back row.

The Warriors had more of the play in the opening half, but the Eagles pressed in deep for several chances late in the period. Nik Kokolios and Ryan Jammes each had chances in the final five minutes, but both shots drifted high. Eastern had an eight-to-six edge in shots in the half. Lycoming looked dangerous on their five first-half corners.

Derek Buhrman had a great chance in the opening six minutes of the second half, but his left-footed attempt from the top of the box slipped just wide of the right upright. 

After a fairly uneventful first overtime, the Eagles created a great chance on the opening kick of the second. Jammes earned the box and created a one-on-one chance on the left side, but the rookie winger could not keep his feet and the ball went out for a goal kick. Alessandro Truppi put a pair of dangerous balls into the scoring area on restarts, but the Warrior defense was up to the challenge. 

When Evan Cope picked up a second yellow for a hard challenge near midfield, the Eagles had to play the final six and a half minute down a player, and the focus had to change slightly. Even down a player, the Eastern side managed to get some presence with Buhrman and Emmanuel Hewitt in the attacking end, but the Lycoming defense did its part to keep the match scoreless on the way to a fifth shutout of the young season.

After a late Lycoming foul, Eastern's final restart made it into the box, but Dylan Daignault was unable to get anything on goal before the clock expired.

Eastern and Lycoming essentially switched spots in the MAC for 2020, and both teams will start in their new leagues beginning in October. Eastern will be at Hood College and Lycoming starts their MAC Freedom schedule with a game against Arcadia next Saturday, but the Warriors will play a midweek match at Messiah first.

Eastern has a non-league home test against Catholic University on Wednesday.