ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Emmanuel Hewitt buried a free kick in the 100th minute to lift Eastern University Men's Soccer (2-0) past the visiting Farmingdale State University Rams (0-1) in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The shot from just outside the penalty area came after first-year forward Ryan Jammes earned the free kick.

The Eagles scored the opening goal on a brilliant build through the 24th minute. After some Eastern possession through the back half, Dylan Daigneault clipped a ball over the top of the Farmingdale State defensive block for Derek Buhrman on the right wing. Buhrman beat his mark and saved the ball right at the endline. He worked back up the field and bent a cross toward the back post. Gabe Velazquez was in the right spot. The junior midfielder powered home a 12-yard header for his first goal of the year.

Though the Eagles scored first and had most of the play early, the Rams had the best chance of the early going, but Erick Maldanado's open header from the middle of the goal in the fourth minute slid just wide. 

The Eagles continued to press after the goal and created several chances to double the lead. Nik Kokolios had several quality shots. Jammes had a shot on a breakaway go off the underside of the crossbar in the 40th minute. 

Moments later, the Rams found the equalizer. After an Eastern foul near midfield. Farmingdale switched the play to the right side. A good cross to back post put Carlos Rivera in a one-on-one situation at the edge of the area. Rivera chopped a ball infield and hit a dipping 20 yard shot to tie the game. 

The Eagles played more players in the opening half and seemed fresher out of the gate in the second. The Eagles had the best of the action in the second half, but could not find the game-winner despite holding a 7-4 edge in shots. 

After regulation, the two teams switched ends, and a steady breeze helped the home side to pin the ball in even deeper in the overtime. Before the game-winner, the Eagles had five hots in the first nine minutes of overtime. Farmingdale goalkeeper Justin Silva made a couple strong saves and his back row had moments of brilliance to deny other chances. Though it seemed likely that Eagles would break through, it was far from a done-deal.

Buhrman set up the final chance with a strong penetrating pass to Jammes at the top of the box. Buhrman had moved out to the flanks to find more space, and the junior standout took a pass from Alex McGlyn and bent it into a dangerous area. Jammes held his ground to receive the ball and was knocked to the ground by an akward challenge. 

The Eagles had struggled on restarts through the day, but Hewitt immediately recognized the favorable angle and range and stood over the ball. Kokolios ran over the ball, and in doing so got a little bit of movement from Silva. That half step was all Hewitt needed. The junior forward curled a hard shot just off the fingertips of the goalkeeper and into the upper corner. 

"Today's match was a test of our character," Head coach Kevin Brenner said after the match. "We didn't play to our capabilities after going up 1-0 to start the game. We had a golden chance to go up 2-0, but full credit to Farmingdale State for converting a dangerous opportunity just before half time. During the half-time interval we made some necessary adjustments and focused on being better in the final third and better one 1v1 defensively. The players responded and played with a bit more grit and determination. We were confident that it was only a matter of time before we converted on so many dangerous chances."

Tyler Shearin made a pair of saves to secure his second win. 

The Eagles have a pair of tough home tests next weekend. They will host Randolph-Macon on Friday and William Paterson on Saturday. Both matches start at 4:00 PM.