ST. DAVIDS, Pa.—After several years removed from post-season conversation, Eastern University FIeld Hockey came into today's home test against Alvernia with a chance to make a big step toward locking up a tournament spot. In a game that was essentially an elimination game for both sides, the visiting Golden Wolves (8-8, 4-3) struck early and pulled away as the game progressed to lock up a spot in next week's MAC Commonwealth tournament with a 6-0 win.
Alvernia scored a transition goal in the first minute and doubled the lead on a penalty corner goal in the eighth minute. The Eagles (10-7, 3-4) had a 4-1 edge in first-quarter penalties, but the guests made their chances count. Ava Michael scored off a rebound in the 11th minute and the two teams went to break up three. Another rebound goal early in the second all but locked up the result.
While the first quarter was more level than the score, the Golden Wolves gained more ball-dominance as the game went on. Michael scored her second of the day in the third, and Alvernia added a final tally on a penalty corner in the fourth.
The Eagles forced good saves on shots in transition from
Ryhanna Ridgeway and
CJ Summa, but at that point all that was in question was the final score.
Angelina Catania made 13 stops in the loss.
The Eagles will host the Stevenson University Mustangs on Saturday at 11. Should Neumann beat Widener this evening, the Eagles would carry a chance to continue with an upset win.
