FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - In the inaugural ECAC Flag Football Championships on Saturday, Eastern Flag Football built an early lead and never relinquished it in a 31-7 win over the Saint Joseph's University Hawks in the quarterfinal round. Kyla Massenburg scored three touchdowns, two on the ground and one through the air, and Kira Green tossed three touchdown passes to help punch Eastern's ticket to the semifinals. 

The Eagles opened the scoring on their first drive of the contest. After a solid gain on first down by Massenburg, senior Jeriyah Johnson caught three passes in a row to put the Eagles in the red zone. Eastern went on to score its first of two fourth down touchdowns, as Massenburg scored her first touchdown of the day to put the Eagles ahead 6-0. 

The Eagles defense halted the first two St. Joe's possessions, turning the ball over near midfield on the Hawks' second drive. Eastern went on to increase its lead to 13-0. The Eagles drove down into the red zone, eventually scoring on fourth and goal again, this time  on a Green four-yard pass to first-year center Ayianna Ridgeway. 

St. Joes' scored it lone touchdown of the day on a long pass on their third drive, but the Eagles went into halftime up 13-7. Eastern went on to score 18 unanswered points, including a touchdown late in the first half. After the Hawks cut the lead to six, Eastern answered with an eight-play drive to take a two-touchdown lead heading into halftime. Massenburg recorded a big gain to convert a third down, and Green went on to throw her second touchdown pass of the game to Johnson to put Eastern ahead 19-7 heading into the break.

Eastern pitched a shutout in the second half and scored two more touchdowns to move on the semifinal round. Massenburg scored her second rushing touchdown on the Eagles' second drive after halftime and tacked on a receiving touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Johnson led the Eagles in receptions, while Massenburg and Stephanie White led a stout defensive effort. Massenburg finished with 58 rushing yards and 33 receiving yards, while also recording 10 tackles and two sacks. Dominique Geiger also came away with an interception in the second half.

The Eagles move on the face Atlantic East foe Marymount in the ECAC semifinals tomorrow at 12 noon. The Saints beat the Eagles 12-7 to win its second straight Atlantic East Championship last weekend. Eastern earned its first win over Marymount, 14-13, back on April 18. The winner will move on to the ECAC Championship game, which will begin at 2:00 pm.