DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — A short-handed Eastern University men's soccer squad scored first, but was unable to maintain that lead and stumbled to a 4-1 loss at Delaware Valley University on the opening day of the season for both squads. 

In the sixth minute, a crunching foul forty-yards from goal gave the Eagles the chance that turned into their first goal of the year. Joåo Tarabal flighted a ball over the Aggie defense and Zach Sievert beat the Delaware Valley goalkeeper to the ball. Sievert's headed shot found the open goal to put the Eagles up early.

From there, the game went sideways for the Eagles. Playing without key players in key positions, several Eastern players were in unfamiliar roles, and the hosts took advantage. Several Eastern miscues off a restart deep in their own territory gave the Aggies an open look at goal for a one touch shot that slipped into the bottom corner to knot the score in the 15th minute, the Aggies grabbed the lead off a play that started with long throw in in the 37th minute. Eastern had only four first half shots. 

When Delaware Valley went up 3-1 off a well-executed corner kick in the 61st minute, the Eagles had to chase the game even more. With limited numbers of experienced players they pushed forward and created some of their best chances of the day. Mauro Lence put a hard shot to a corner in the 73rd minute, Kade Seip had a shot saved adn Tarabal had a ball pushed off the goal line by a defender on another sequence. 

That pressure came at a cost, and the Aggies scored a fourth against the run of play to seal the result. 

The Eagles should be closer to full strength for a home test against Haverford on Friday.