READING, Pa.- Eastern University Men's Soccer rallied from a two-goal second-half deficit, but it was not enough as the host Albright College Lions scored in the 86th minute to close the year with a 4-3 win.
The Eagles (4-8-4, 1-5-1) started out without much attacking energy, and the Lions took advantage of a misplay on a long ball for a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. Albright doubled the lead on another goal from a. Seemingly harmless position in the 45th minute. A deflected cross produced a collision in the box, and the Lions were awarded a penalty kick. Luke Fanning converted and the hosts took a 2-0 lead to the locker room.
The Eagles came out with a completely new lineup to start the second half. The energy of that group paid nearly instant dividends as they pressed a ball free and knocked it to
Ethan Pfau on the right flank. The first year forward took a positive touch inside and ripped a left-footed shot into the upper corner. His fourth goal of the season cut the Albright lead to 2-1 less than a minute into the second half.
That momentum, however, was short-lived. The enthusiastic new group lost organization on a short clear, and the Lions found a pair of open players in close to the Eastern goal. They combined and restored the two-goal edge with over forty minutes to play.
The Eagles again had to rebuild.
After controlling much of the play, they grabbed a goal back off a corner kick in the 77th minute.
Aidan Link served a ball to the back post.
Zach Sievert headed the ball toward goal. Dylan Daignault was on the doorstep and redirected the header to into the scoring area.
Osmond Chan pounded his first touch into the goal to close the Albright lead to a single goal.
Eastern found an equalizer in the 83rd minute on another corner kick. After a short Albright clear, Chan hit a shot toward goal that took a heavy deflection.
Francisco Fiol powered home the rebound from a tight angle.
The Lions got their game-winner off a restart chance from a wide position. Martin Ramsey hit a shot through traffic that found its way into the goal at the back post.
The Eagles finish the year in a three-way tie for 6th in the MAC Commonwealth.
