READING, Pa.– A late rally was not enough as Eastern University Field Hockey dropped a 3-1 decision at Elizabethtown College. Emerson Shauger scored in the fourth quarter for the Eagles.

After an evenly played and scoreless first quarter, the host Blue Jays (4-3) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the early minutes of the second period. Though Elizabethtown had an advantage in second quarter shots, it looked as though the game was going to go to halftime with just a goal separating the two sides. The Blue Jays took advantage of a final surge and moved the ball into the circle with less than 30 seconds left. The Eagles were unable to clear the sone and Elizabethtown doubled the lead with a conversion from in close.

Though the Eagles had a 2-1 edge in third-period penalty corners, neither team was able to score in the frame. Abby Agapito made two of her seven saves in the frame. The Eagles did not get a shot on cage in the period.

The Blue Jays stretched their edge with a goal in the opening minutes of the fourth. The Eagles then found an offensive push to sustain time in the circle. The Eagles turned a 55th minute penalty corner into a scrum in front of the goal. An Elizabethtown defender contacted the ball with her body on the goal line and the officials awarded a penalty stroke. Emerson Shauger converted.

The Eagles had more zone time and another dangerous penalty corner but could not close the gap back to a single goal.

"We generated a ton of offensive opportunities and maintained possession in the attacking circle right off the bat," Head Coach Abbey Kemble said after the match. We have been focused on establishing early pressure and getting into the circle. [We are] still searching for a game-changer to put the ball in the back of the net."

The Eagles return to MAC Commonwealth play with a road test at Hood College on Saturday.