YORK, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Soccer (12-6-3) saw its historic season come to a close with a 4-1 loss to the York College Spartans in the in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament Semifinals. The second-seeded hosts scored scored four times in a an eleven-minute stretch to seize control of the match.

The Eagles, who started the league season with a pair of losses, stormed into the post-season on a five-match winning streak. The Spartans (12-3-5) had been running through league competition as well before showing some vulnerability in a 0-0 draw with Hood this past Saturday. With a spot in the MAC Commonwealth Championship match on the line, the Spartans were on the front foot from the opening whistle. 

Faith Leake made a diving stop of a good long strike in the fourth minute, and the Eagles escaped their zone long enough for Paige Snell to get a shot on goal, and eventually a corner kick. The early progress resulted in a stretched field. The Spartans took advantage with a speedy and precise counter. Meg Kalthof timed her near-post run perfectly to redirect a hard shot from the right side.

Less than two minutes later the Spartans doubled the lead on a crossed ball that slipped into the far post after missing a pair of York attackers. Leake held position to play a redirection that never came. 

The Eagles had a restart chance in the 21st minute, but the solid York back row headed the ball clear. A few seconds later, the hosts converted a restart chance from nearly the same position going the other way. Thirty seconds later, Kaltof stunned the Eagles with her second of the day with a strong run up the right side. 

The Eagles found their feet and kept the Spartans on the perimeter for the rest of the half. Early in the second half, Ella Marrollo tucked home her sixth of the year to pull back a goal. Morgan Crake created the chance by winning a loose ball near the top of the box, and Marrollo ran it into the net. 

Though the hosts had an 8-3 edge in second-half shots, the Eagles were able to keep the Spartans at a distance and created a few half-chances as the game progressed. Int he 77th minute, Emma Bennet earned the edge on the left side, and played a promising cross and Olivia Nicholson had a restart chance a minute later, but neither team could find the net again in the match. 

With the 12 wins and a spot in the Tournament, the Eastern program took another big step forward. The Eagles won four matches in 2023 and only one match in 2021. 

York will play at Messiah at noon on Saturday.