ST. DAVIDS, Pa.— Eastern University Field Hockey rallied late to force overtime, and the Eagles (5-3) scored late in the first overtime frame on a penalty stroke to emerge with a 2-1 win over the visiting Wilkes University Colonels (5-4) in the first meeting between the two programs since 2019. CJ Summa scored twice for the Eagles in the win.

Though neither team scored in the first three quarters, the match did not lack drama. The Eagles had a 13-9 edge in shots through 45 minutes and an 8-to-4 edge in penalty corners, but the Eastern defense got a stellar effort from Angelina Catania in goal and her defenders in front. Kacie Agnew had a huge defensive save in the waning seconds of the first quarter.

The pressure of the game mounted as the minutes ran off. The visitors finally broke through early in the fourth quarter. With the Eagles pushing forward, Wilkes took advantage of an extra-player rush with a goal from close range after a a hard cross from the right side. Catania, who was active off her line throughout, got a stick to the cross, but it was not enough and Wilkes forward Maddie Karp touched home the finish for her sixth of the year.

Almost immediately, the Eagles had a chance to equalize on a penalty corner. Summa went high on the restart, but her effort slipped over the crossbar.

After an extended period of Eastern pressure, the Colonels had a golden opportunity to double the lead with another extra-player rush. Paige Brouse made back-to-back defensive saves and Agnew finally hammered a clear to keep the Eagles in range.

The Eagles knotted the score on their second penalty corner of the quarter. With a perfect insert on the wet turf from Abby Hakes, Summa opted for power over guile and slammed a shot through traffic to tie the game.

Both teams had a chance to win in regulation. Wilkes goalie Chloe Gilroy stopped another blistering attempt from Summa and Catania denied carp in the final minute.

With the Eagles going down a player for a card early, the overtime got off to a rough start. Brouse and the Eastern defense kept the ball on the perimeter and did not allow a shot on goal despite playing 5 against six for five minutes. Once the penalty expired the Eagles had some great chances in the transition created by the seven-aside format. Gilroy made three stops, but a Summa shot with just over a minute left beat Gilroy only to be stopped by the body of a Wilkes defender.

Summa buried the ensuing penalty stroke for her second Sept. 24th-walk-off stroke in her career. Eastern's sophomore forward beat Neumann on the same day last year with a penalty stroke. She now has six goals this year and 18 for her career.

The Eagles honored a young friend Sydney Gilman, a local eight-year old, and the inspiration behind Sydney's soldiers, as their 12th player before the match.

The Eagles are at Neumann on Saturday.