Football:
Eastern Football had its senior day Nov. 7, hosting Stevenson in an important MAC matchup, winning 21-0. Graduate quarterback Brett Nabb threw for 101 yards and an interception. Along with adding 24 yards and a touchdown on the ground before leaving the game with an injury. In relief of Nabb, senior quarterback Aden Davenport completed nine passes for 59 yards and a touchdown to help hold the lead. Senior running back Jeremiah Avrilien also added a score on the ground, and senior wide receiver Chris Rivera hauled in Davenport’s touchdown pass in a highlight-reel grab in the back of the endzone.
Defensively, forcing turnovers was the key to maintaining the shutout. The defense and special team’s units forced three fumbles, and senior defensive back Noriano Smith added an interception. Sophomore defensive lineman Wayne Clark notched five tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble to his credit. Senior linebacker Jason Bateman, and sophomore long snapper Tobias Koch were credited with the other two forced fumbles. Eastern Football improves to 7-2 and clinches their second consecutive MAC championship with a win on the road against FDU-Florham Nov. 14, or a Delaware Valley loss.
Women’s soccer:
Women’s soccer went on the road to York College Nov. 4 to play in the first round of the MAC Commonwealth tournament, unfortunately losing 5-6 on penalty kicks after a scoreless full-time effort. Senior goalkeeper Faith Leake made 11 saves in 110 minutes of play to force a shootout. Eastern Women’s Soccer finished with a 9-7-3 record, good for third in the MAC Commonwealth this season.
Women’s volleyball:
Women’s volleyball had an action-packed week, playing one game at home against Stevenson Nov. 4, and playing two matches on the road in Fredericksburg, Virginia Nov. 7 against Mary Washington and Randolph-Macon. In the first match of the week against Stevenson, Eastern won 3-0 to secure the number one seed in the MAC Commonwealth tournament. First-year outside hitter Piper Xeller led the way offensively with 17 kills and two blocks, followed by sophomore middle hitter Veronica Faber with nine kills, an ace and a block. Sophomore setter Sarah Furey contributed 35 assists, and senior defensive specialist Grace Cooper made 15 digs to help secure the sweep.
In the first match of the weekend, Eastern lost to Mary Washington, 1-3. Xeller again led the Eagles in kills with 10, followed by senior outside hitter Alexis Standford with 8. Furey was good for 26 assists and contributed 21 digs as well in the effort. In the third match of the weekend, Eastern earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over Randolph-Macon. Standford led the way with 16 kills and two blocks. Furey continued her busy weekend, adding 25 assists. Cooper made 25 digs, and was followed by sophomore defensive specialist Emma Ciesielka, who added 19 digs as well. Eastern Women’s volleyball ended their regular season campaign with a record of 15-12 and were undefeated in conference play at 8-0. They are the number one seed in the MAC Commonwealth and will host that match Nov. 12 at the nest, opponent to be determined.
Women’s basketball:
Women’s basketball opened their season on the right foot, picking up a 68-54 win over Lancaster Bible College Nov. 6 at home. Sophomore forward Madeline Wylie recorded career highs in 32 minutes of play, earning 18 points and 16 rebounds. Sophomore guard Sophia Vera was close behind, with 16 points in 30 minutes. Junior guard Ava Adams also added 10 points in 34 minutes. Women’s basketball now holds a 1-0 record to start the year and will return to action Nov. 9 when they host Cairn University at home.
Men’s basketball:
Men’s basketball also opened with a win, this time at the Penn State Harrisburg Tip-Off classic tournament, defeating Saint Joseph’s (Brooklyn) 88-64. Senior forward Dejuan Taylor led the Eagles in scoring with 20 and added five rebounds as well. Sophomore guard Kai Gatson followed with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Connor Fleet added 12 points of his own to help seal the win. Men’s basketball has a 1-0 record to start the year and will play the next game in the tournament Nov. 8, against Penn State Harrisburg.
Wrestling:
Eastern Men and Women’s wrestling teams both opened their seasons this past week. The men’s team opened at Alvernia Nov. 7, placing sixth with a team score of 125. Eastern earned two first-place finishes in different weight classes. Graduate Sean O’Toole took a first-place finish in the 141lbs division, as well as senior Domenic D’Agnostino taking a first-place finish in the 174lbs division. Senior Nick DeLorenzo took a second-place finish in the 165lbs vision, and senior Ryan Mansueto finished fourth in the 149lbs division.
On the women’s side, they traveled to Princeton to take part in the Princeton Open Nov. 1. Sophomores Zoey Haines and Savannah Witt each took first place finishes in their respective divisions, 145lbs and 124lbs. First-years Alexus Paden and Kate Prior each earned sixth place finishes in their respective divisions as well, being tied for sixth. On Nov. 7 however, a select group of Haines, senior Josey Wehr and Witt wrestled in New York City in the Bill Farrell Memorial Invitational as well. Witt took third in her division, qualifying her for the World Team Trials in Las Vegas in April.
Eastern Men’s and Women’s Wrestling will return to action next week. The men’s team will travel to TCNJ Nov. 14, and the women’s team will wrestle with a reduced squad Nov. 8 at Gettysburg College.
