ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Though Eastern University Field Hockey came out on the short end of a 2-1 score, the Eagles stayed kept within striking distance of the visiting Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks with an heroic defensive effort.
Angelina Catania made 21 saves in goal.
Catania was not alone in turning away shots. All of the Eastern defenders worked to block shots at the point of impact and the Eagles saved five off the goal line behind their goalie.
Paige Brouse and
Emma Kircher each had pair of defensive saves, and
Alyssa Caldini turned away one.
The visiting Ducks (5-2) scored late in the first quarter and added a second with five minutes to play in the half. With the two-goal lead and an enormous balance of the attack, it looked like the Ducks might pull away. In this fixture last fall, Stevens ran out to an 8-0 win. Stevens has spent time in the NFHCA Top 25 this fall.
The Eastern defense kept its composure and a good clearing effort gave the home side a penalty corner late in the half. With
CJ Summa leading the way with nine goals, the Eagles had scored in each of their five games heading into today. The Eagles get a good percentage of their chances from penalty corners, and they made their only penalty corner of the game count.
Abby Hakes played a smooth insert to Summa who drew the defense before switching the point of attack with a pass to her left.
Morgan Unruh redirected a
Kara Frantz shot away from goal and Hakes slammed home her first of the year.
Stevens had a 22-2 edge in first half shots.
The Ducks had all the play in the third, but the Eagles kept the visitors off the board and stayed within a goal. The Ducks continued to press with shots and penalty corners, but Catania and her defenders held.
In the closing minutes of the game, the Eagles got a few chances to escape their zone. Hakes earned an opportunity to tie the match after a strong run up the right side, but her shot, just the third of the game, trickled just wide.
The Eagles (2-4) will host Lancaster Bible on Wednesday at 4:00 pm.
