ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– With a full squad for the first time in over a month, Eastern University Men's Soccer scored three first half goals and added one in the fourth to celebrate Senior Day and claim a critical  4-1 MAC Commonwealth win over the visiting Hood College Blazers. Zach Sievert and Joåo Tarabel each had a goal and an assist and Ethan Pfau scored twice.

The Eagles (4-7-3, 1-2) came into the match on a string six consecutive non-wins and had not scored in over six hours of match time. For each of those matches,  an injured Sievert had watched from the sideline. As he returned to training, the Eastern coaches felt that his presence on the field would make an impact across the board.

His return produced tangible results almost instantly. With his team on the front foot, the Eagles had two chances from point-blank range in the opening four minutes. The Hood goalkeeper made a save, and a follow-up effort from Evan Cope was saved off the goal line by a leaping defender.

Three minutes later, the Eagles solved the Blazer back row for a goal. After a foul on the right side, Tarabel curled a cross into the box. Severe headed it home for his first tally of the season. Tarabel picked up his team-best sixth assist with the well-weighted cross.

The two goalkeepers then traded stunning saves. Ty Bleiler made a diving stop on a header from close range in the 19th minute, and Hood goalkeeper Nick Humphries kicked away a shot from Sievert on a transition chance.

Eastern doubled the lead in the 26th minute on a finish from Tarabel. The play started on a long restart from Bleiler into the attacking end. Pfau carried the ball for a piece and waited for a defender to commit before threading a pass into space for a running Sievert. After cutting the ball back, Sievert flipped a left-footed cross to the back post. Tarabel banged it home for his first career goal.

The guests scored on a corner kick in the 30th minute, and the game was again in question.

Jacob Shalev, playing in his first match of the season, helped the Eagles to restore the lead with a great run up the right side. The sophomore winger beat his mark and slashed a cross into the scoring area. Pfau met it five yards out and powered it home.

The Eagles had a 9-4 edge in first-half shots.

Eastern picked up an insurance goal in the 52nd minute. Sam Provido won a ball in the middle. He clipped his first touch over the top. Pfau beat his mark to the ball before cutting inside to get the ball onto his left foot. His shot found the lower corner for his fourth goal of the year.

The game had multiple stoppages for fouls throughout the beginning of the match, and hit an ugly spot after Osmond Chan was fouled in transition in the 61st minute. Both teams lost a player to cards and the match finished ten against ten. Bleiler finished with six stops to earn the win in goal.

The three points keep the Eagles in the mix in the MAC Commonwealth as they head into the middle match of the league season at Stevenson on Wednesday.

Eastern honored seven seniors before the match. Ryan Adams and Connor Culp who had each moved into sideline roles this season were honored with Provido, Evan Cope, Zach Chaplin, Russell Pilard, and Justin Shaffer.