ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Heavy rains midweek pushed opening day for Eastern Men's Soccer back to today. The Eagles (1-0) showed impressive depth and quality to earn a decisive 3-0 win over St. John Fisher College College on a beautiful day on Olson Field. Nik Kokolios scored on a pair of headers and Derek Buhrman added a goal to lead the Eastern attack.

The Cardinals (1-1) had the first great chance of the match in the fourth minute. First -year goalie Tyler Shearin made a diving save on a shot from a tight angle, but he left a rebound. Eduardo Gutierrez was in the right spot to block the follow-up chance clear the ball from danger. The Cardinals are known for defensive strength and structure, and an early goal could have changed the complexion of the match completely. 

After the early scare the Eagles gained possession and were positive in their movements going forward. Buhrman missed just over the bar in the 12th minute and Emmanual Hewitt had a shot saved from a tight angle for a corner kick in the 14th. Eastern continued to press forward, but the first goal would not come until after the Eastern staff made several changes midway through the frame. 

Jake Morales, who came on at the midpoint of the half set up the first goal with a cross from the left side. Kokolios drove a header back across the goal for a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, Buhrman doubled the lead with a shot from the top of the box that skipped into the lower left corner. Eastern finished the half with an 8-to-1 edge in shots, but the game remained within reach for the visitors. 

That changed less than three minutes after the break. The Eagles found a great transition movement to set up the critical third goal. Gabriel Velazquez took a pass from Daniel Panto in the midfield and slipped a long pass forward to Evan Cope. The first-year winger took advantage of the space created by the well-weighted ball and bent a long serve toward the back post. Kokolios did not miss. 

The Eagles were able to limit the Cardinal chances down the stretch and hold on for the season-opening win. Shearin finished with four saves and the shutout. 

"Despite some exciting energy to start the game," Head Coach Kevin Brenner said, "I thought we settled in nicely and found a good rhythm midway through the first half. Nik Kokolios and Dan Panto did an outstanding job of keeping us in possession and making us very dangerous in the final third, and I thought Jake Morales brought a spark off the bench. While there is plenty of takeaways from this game, I'm extremely happy for the team and all the hard work they put into this point! Our commitment and willingness combine with our talent makes us a very dangerous team moving forward."

The Eagles are back on Olson Field for a noon game this coming Monday against Farmingdale State.