ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – In another non-conference matchup before league play begins, Eastern Men's Soccer came up short, falling 1-0 to visiting Arcadia on Wednesday afternoon at Olson Field.

Despite a gritty defensive effort in the first 85 minutes and a standout performance in goal from senior Ty Bleiler, the Eagles (3-5-1) saw the Knights (5-2-4) break through in the 86th minute for the match's lone goal. After controlling much of the possession throughout the match, Arcadia finally capitalized when Caden Lausch found the back of the net off a low cross from the right side.

Bleiler kept Eastern in the match with a stellar showing between the posts, tallying 10 saves—including several clutch stops on set pieces and a highlight-reel denial of Arcadia's Declan Kelly in the 17th minute. The Emmaus native was a steady presence all afternoon, frustrating the Knights' attack time and time again.

The Eagles generated pressure of their own, especially in the first half, earning five corner kicks and launching eight shots. But Arcadia's back line tightened in the second frame, limiting Eastern to just one attempt after halftime and turning away the Eagles consistently in the midfield. 

The Knights' persistence paid off late. Tyler Jankowski sparked the deciding sequence, threading a pass ahead to Ethan Torpey, who drove down the right flank before sending a pinpoint cross to Lausch for the finish.

Eastern now shifts its focus to MAC Commonwealth play, where the Eagles will look to bounce back on Saturday at Hood College. Kickoff in Frederick, Md., is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.