RADNOR, Pa. - In an evenly matched contest on Wednesday evening, a second-half corner kick goal proved to be the difference as Eastern Women's Soccer fell to Cabrini 1-0 in the final battle of Eagle Road. The Eagle had several strong chances in the second half to either take the lead or tie the contest, but failed to find the back of the net.
Both teams finished with nine shots, and both goalkeepers, Eastern's
Brooke Moskey and Cabrini's Caroline Hassall, collected four saves. For the Eagles,
Madelyn Mullen led the way with four shots, one of which was one target.
While Cabrini (1-0-1) controlled a majority of the possession in the first half, it was a defensive battle. The Cavaliers fired off four shots and the Eagles finished with three, but none tested either goalkeeper. Mullen and
Ashlynn Keys both had quality chances in the opening 45 minutes, but both shots sailed high.
The Eagles created their best scoring opportunity 10 minutes into the second half off a brilliant through ball from Mullen and an equally great pass from
Emma Bennett to
Sydney Koncsol on the left side of the Cabrini goal. However, the resulting shot sailed high over the net to keep the game scoreless.
Six minutes later, the Cavaliers scored the lone goal of the game off a corner kick. Rebekah Cunningham's header found Rylie Butler right in front of the net, and the forward cashed in to give the host Cavaliers an advantage they would not relinquish.
The Eagles had their chances late in the contest, but again were unable to capitalize. Mullen came up short in a one-on-one chance with Hassel in the 82nd minute, and Bennett's 86th minute attempt was also stopped. The Cavaliers would hang on for their first win of the season.
"I am proud of our ladies who fought hard and gave everything," Eastern Head Coach
Jess Shanahan said. "Unfortunate result in the end, but we have much to takeaway from this game and our players should hold their heads high."
Eastern (1-1) will hit the road again on Saturday to face off against Marywood in Scranton. The contest is set to begin at 11:00 am.
