In its 2024 season opener on Friday evening, Eastern Women's Soccer rallied from an early deficit, and a late goal from sophomore Mia Zucker in the waning minutes lifted the Eagles to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Rutgers-Newark on the first night of the Brick Classic. Zucker, who missed her first season due to injury, notched her first collegiate and game-winning tally, while first-year forwards Billinda Leisner and Leah Fowler each scored their first collegiate goals in the triumph. Goalkeepers Brooke Moskey and Faith Leake, who each played a half, combined to make 10 saves, while junior Nicole Eveland recorded a pair of assists. 

The host Scarlet Knights dominated offensively in the second half, out-shooting the Eagles 14-4 after halftime, but on a late Eagles' counterattack, their fourth shot turned out to be the game-winner. From the right side of the pitch, Eveland hit a streaking Zucker in the middle of the field with a tremendous pass, and the Jenkintown native did the rest, tucking the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net to secure the win. For Eveland, it was the second straight match, dating back to last season, where she recorded two assists. 

While there were not many shots in the matches' beginning stages, Rutgers was able to control possession in the early going. Rutgers eventually cashed in as Leila Ettayebi broke the scoreless tie in the 11th minute on a perfect shot that sailed over the head of Moskey into the top right corner. 

However, the Eagles did not waste much time finding the equalizer. In the 19th minute, after a showcase of excellent ball movement by Eastern just outside the 18, junior midfielder Emma Bennett found Leisner just outside the 6, and the first-year buried her delivery into the bottom left corner of the net to tie the contest at 1-1. Along with being Leisner's first collegiate tally, it was the second career assist for Bennett. 

With the momentum on their side, the Eagles continued to press their attack, moving the ball well and keeping the Rutgers' defense on its heels. After a Scarlet Knights' foul, Olivia Nicholson's free kick from a few yards outside the 18 looked to be heading for twine, but Rutgers' keeper Angela Amaya made an incredible save, punching the ball out of harm's way to set up an Eastern corner.

However, moments later, an Eveland corner kick led to the second Eastern goal. Her well-placed cross was one-touched over Amaya's head by Fowler, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead heading into halftime. 

Friday's opener marked the second year in a row that a first-year player scored a goal for the Eagles in their inaugural collegiate contest. Seana Rodgers completed the same feat last fall in Eastern's 4-2 win over PSU Abington. 

Rutgers equalized again on a corner of its own early in second half as Eliza Haghighi pushed one past Leake to tie the match at 2-2. 

From there, the Scarlet Knights dominated possession, putting pressure on Leake and the Eastern defense. However, the reigning MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year was up to the task, making big stop after big stop after Rutgers' equalizer to keep the contest tied before Zucker's eventual winner. 

"Very proud of the team's performance tonight," Eastern Head Coach Jess Shanahan said. "It was a much more physical match than we have been accustomed to, but it was so exciting to watch the ladies battle & be relentless. They never gave up & that mental perseverance is promising look ahead this fall."

Eastern (1-0) will wrap up the Brick Classic with a 2:00 pm matinee against the NJCU Gothic Knights on Sunday afternoon.