Greatest moments in Eastern’s sport history

When thinking of Eastern sports, students usually look at how many championships a team has won. But sometimes, the little moments are so much cooler than the results of the season. Here are ten of some of the best sports moments in Eastern’s history. 

Baseball’s Sean Cottrell’s clutch hit for Eastern win over Hood. It was the bottom of the ninth and Eastern was down 12-5. Miraculously they got the score up to 12-11 and it was Sean Cottrell’s turn to bat. Sitting at 2-2 count with runners on second and third and two outs, he dropped a beauty to left field, allowing both runners to score for the win. This was their first conference win of the 2022 season.

 Women’s volleyball’s incredible points to end the game. In 2019 Eastern battled DeSales until the fourth set of the match. Every score Eastern got, DeSales matched learning to a 26-26 tie. Caroline Shelby got a strong kill making it 27-26 and the combined effort of Ally Montour and Lindsey Heisey ended the match with an incredible stuff block. 

Women’s soccer passes for the win. In 2010 in the 94th minute against Misericordia, the score was still tied 1-1. Centerback Kara Lofton was able to clear a shot to midfielder Kelsey Doutrich. Doutrich headed the ball to a sprinting Spoelstra. Spoelstra found some space and blasted the ball into the lower left corner of the goal. This was her first college goal and secured the first win of the conference that season. 

Men’s lacrosse’s second goal in the season opener. Back in 2013, the Eagles were tied 1-1. Shawn Farmer created a loose ball with a body check to a McDanial player. Brendon Stauber was there to pick off the ball and sling it towards Chris Farrar. Farrar passed it to Zac Ivy. Ivy fake pumped the goalie then passed it to Grant Ferguson who shot it on the far side of the crease. 

Men’s soccer double overtime game-winner. It was the 103rd minute against Wilkes in 2019. The head coach moved the center back Jake Sankey to the center midfield spot. Nik Kokolios found an opening and glided it over to Derek Buhrman near the penalty spot. Burhman quickly controlled it and then sent it over to Sankey. Sankey drove it into the goal, beautifully avoiding the goalie. It ended up being the team’s fourth win that season. 

Women’s basketball’s buzzer-beater. In the game against Penn St. Brandywine in 2024, the Eagles played a tough match. With 0.8 seconds left on the clock, the game was tied 64-64. The Eagles had an inbound and Stephanie White threw it to Jeriyah Johnson. Johnson had no other option but to turn around and shoot. She sent the shot up outside the three-point line as she fell to the ground, the ball got nothing but net and the crowd erupted.

Women’s lacrosse’s impressive shot to advance to NCAA. It was 2007, and the lacrosse team was on their way to getting their second PAC title. With less than two minutes left in the game against Cabrini, the teams were tied 10-10. Cabrini had possession when Katie Choquette and Erin Fries double-teamed to cause a turnover. Choquette passed the ball over defenders to get to Kate Hoy, who dodged two defenders and fired a side-arm shot as she collided with the goalie. The goal was secure and the defense held off Cabrini for the conference title. 

Field hockey’s clutch goal to win 20th straight. In a 2010 NCAA Tournament game against Stevens, Kim Cambell fired a shot that ricocheted off the goalie. Yvonne Herbster recovered the ball and quickly passed the rebound to her left. Jess Jaindl quickly stepped up to the ball and brought her stick back, sending it flying into the goal. This game-winner put the Eagles in the NCAA Elite eight. 

Women’s softball incredible MAC Championship plays. The MVP of this game was the pitcher Danika Barthol, who pitched a no-hitter, the sixth since 2008. But this would not have been possible without Ainsley O’Donnell. She sprinted towards the left foul pole with her hands outstretched for a phenomenal catch to secure the first out of the seventh inning. 

 Men’s basketball’s Shaquan Turk with a fastbreak dunk. This dunk was so good that it caught national attention. ESPN even featured it on their sports network. The team was up 83-70 against Manhattanville in 2015. Turk took the ball from the right side, drove the paint and put his opponent on a poster by slam dunking over his head. He then turned around while hanging on the hoop and glanced down at the opponent.