ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– In an emotionally charged rivalry game, Eastern University Men's Soccer dropped a 2-1 decision to the visiting Cabrini University Cavaliers. The Eagles (1-4-1) had several great chances, and an 8-5 edge in shots, but the Cavaliers scored once in each half to claim the Eagle Road crown for the first time since 2011.

While the Eagles had won the last eight meetings between the two neighboring programs, most of those wins came by narrow margins. From the start, today looked like a game that would be decided by a narrow margin.

The Cavaliers (3-2-2) struck first on a corner kick in the 15th minute. Tyler Jankowski served an inswung ball toward the near post that slid over the shoulder of a Cabrini forward. Eastern goalie Ty Bleiler anticipated a redirection and when the ball came through clean, wound up pushing the ball into the goal.

The Eagles found an equalizer following another restart. After a foul near midfield, Gabe Velazquez served a ball to the back post. Derek Buhrman won a header and redirected it to the center of the box. Jesse Byler hit a volley into the underside of the crossbar. Ryan Jammes emerged with the rebound and was dragged to the ground before he was able to release a shot. Jammes converted from he spot to tie the game.

The game stayed level until half, but Cabrini took advantage of another inswung corner in the 52nd minute. On a dangerous serve the Eagles were called for a push. Jankowski made the penalty for the 2-1 lead.

Seven minutes later, the Eagles nearly equalized. Steven Fajardo found space on the right flank and curled an early serve behind the Cavalier back line. Buhrman smashed a header from seven yards out, but Cabrini goalkeeper MJ Graham made the initial save and the Cavalier defense rallied to clear the ball from danger.

The Eagles had another golden opportunity in the 73rd minute. Drew Johnson slipped a cross back to Evan Cope 12 yards from goal. Cope was fouled before he had a chance to release the shot and the Eagles had a second chance from the spot. Graham read Cope's shot and made the save to keep the Cavaliers in the lead.

The Eagles played several more serves into the box, but the Cavalier defense held its ground to claim the result.

"We started the game really well and had momentum early," Head Coach Glodi Konga said after the game. "We were knocking on the door in the 2nd half but our mistakes cost us in key moments. It's a tough growing moment for us, but we have plenty of soccer left to play."

The Eagles still hold a 20-19 edge in the series rivalry. Eastern will host the Swarthmore College Garnet on Tuesday at 4:00 pm.