ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - After two matches in Virginia, Eastern Men's Soccer returned to Olson Field on Saturday afternoon to do battle with Washington College. Despite a solid beginning, several missed opportunities and strong offensive pressure from the visitors in the second half led to a 3-1 defeat. Evan Cope scored the Eagles' lone goal, their first of the 2022 campaign.

The Eagles came out in the first half with a plethora of energy. They created several strong scoring opportunities early and moved the ball effectively against the Washington defense. Senior forward Derek Buhrman recorded a brilliant chance in the fifth minute after he stripped the ball off a Shoremen defender, but Washington goalkeeper Cole White made an equally brilliant save to keep the game scoreless.

Eastern kept pressing their attack, and it resulted in their first goal of the season in the 17th minute. Ryan Jammes dribbled up the right side of the pitch and found Aidan Link, who one-touched the ball to a streaking Cope. The sophomore from Jacksonville, Fla. found space on the right side and fired it in the bottom left corner of the net to give the Eagles their first lead of the season.

However, the Shoremen responded in the 36th minute off a free kick by Harrison Malone, which defender Chris Comber headed into the back of the net. The Shoremen took their momentum into the second half and took the lead in the 56th minute on a beautiful cross from Eric Gwadz to Ben Strike, who headed it in on the right side of the net.

The Eagles had several more excellent scoring chances late in the second half, but could not capitalize. The best one came in the 81st minute when Buhrman found himself alone in front of the net after a great touch from Jake Morales, but White robbed him again to keep it a one-goal Washington advantage. The Shoremen added an insurance tally in the final minute to secure the victory.

"We started the game really well, had control, and scored early," Eastern Head Coach Glodi Konga said. "We lost some momentum in the second half and missed key chances towards the end. It's another learning moment for us as we continue to strive for excellence. Thankfully, we get to go at it again tomorrow."

Link led the Eagles with three shots, two on target, while Cope and Buhrman each finished with two. 

Eastern will be back in tomorrow afternoon at Olson Field to take on Lehman College. The contest is set to begin at 3:30 pm.