ST. DAVIDS, Pa. — In a hard-fought early season-match-up Eastern University Women's Soccer (2-0) found a goal in the 60th minute and made it stand for a 1-0 win over the visiting Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers-Newark.
Billinda Leisner headed home an
Ashlynn Keys for what turned out to be the game-winner.
After a scoreless first half that was mostly in the midfield, the Eagles absorbed pressure early in the second. The Scarlet Raiders (1-2) had the edge in possession and field position early. Senior goalkeeper
Brooke Moskey made several strong plays coming off her line to clear balls, and center backs
Ella Sedor and
Tia Argento each came up with well-timed challenges on the ground and in the air to keep the guests from putting a shot on frame.
Keys started the match on the left side of the back row. She started the second half on the right side of the front row. After dealing with the pressure early, the Eagles started to find some joy on the right side. After service from the right, Molly Shelpeper and
Kate Malcolm each found shots, but neither attempt forced a save. Malcolm's attempt was a header at the near post off a long cross from Leisner in the 59th minute.
On the ensuing build-out, Argento won the ball to set up the key moment of the match. The junior center back beat her mark to the ball and played a combination with Keys before smashing a 30-yard pass into Leisner at the edge of the attacking third. Leisner collected the ball and left it in a good spot and started her run to the back post.
Emma Bennett collected the ball and slipped a pass into the channel. Keys earned the edge with an inside touch and delivered a perfect serve to the back post. Leisner made good contact with her head to score her seventh career goal.
"I did not really have to do anything," Leisner said after the match. "The ball was right there."
Only seconds later, Leisner nearly doubled the lead. Her shot from 25 yards out had the keeper beat but slipped just over the bar.
With the lead, the Eastern defense did the rest. The Eagles needed a brave wall on a dangerous free kick chance in the 62nd minute and a tough stop at the near post on a corner kick from Moskey in the 87th minute. Moskey finished with four stops to earn the shutout.
The Eagles are back in action at Cairn University on Saturday. Saturday's game will be the first ever between the two local schools. The Eagles will look to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2010.
