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Women’s Soccer Looks to Take Down Pride
By Shelly Lister
On Wednesday, Sept. 30 the Eagles Women’s Soccer team will take on Widener University Pride of Chester, PA. The game will take place at Widener’s Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium for the second year in a row. In last season’s match the Eagles won with a score of 4-1. Two goals from Amber Stirling and one each from Alondra Cervantes and Emily Cole helped the Eagles secure the victory. This year’s game looks like it could bring home another win for the Eagles. Widener started the 2015 season with a record of 1-3-1 and was completely scoreless in their first three games. In the fourth game of the season, Widener turned things around with a 5-0 win over Immaculata. Sophomore forward Lauren Wilson finished the game with a hat-trick. Wilson will likely be the greatest offensive threat for the Pride as she currently leads the team with 4 goals.
Eastern goalkeepers Jules Leco and Adrianna Swinehart will have to prepare for a strong offensive attack––though both keepers have what it takes to protect the Eagles’ goal. After six games this season returning goalkeeper Leco averages just 1.10 goals allowed per game while Swinehart, a freshman, averages 2.57 goals allowed. On the offensive end, junior forward Emily Cole leads the Eagles with 7 goals, including a hat-trick against Rosemont on September 15. An offensive attack led by Cole is a key component to the Eagles’ success.
While Eastern head coach Dan Mouw has been with the Eagles since 2002, Widener coach Todd Wawrousek is only in his second season with the team. In 2014, Wawrousek’s first year with the Pride, the squad finished with a record of 5-9-3, reflecting the challenges of building a new team. Though Widener is still working out some kinks, they are certainly not a team to underestimate. The Eagles have the potential to earn a win in the upcoming match by aggressively pressuring Widener’s defensive backs and focusing on playing as a united force.
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Men’s Soccer Readies to Face the Lions
By Josh Velez
This Saturday the Eagles Men’s Soccer team will be taking on the Albright College Lions. Last season, the Eagles lost a close game to the Lions, and this time they are ready to square off once again in hopes of a victory. The Lions finished the 2014 season 6-12-1. However, with the lost of their leading scorer Vitali Zaluha, and other notable seniors, the Lions will need other players to step up, like senior Austin Phillip, a key player coming into the game against the Eagles. Last season he was second on the team with five goals and three assists.
The Lions opened up the season against Immaculata University, winning 2-1 with goals by Peter Bockarie and Lawrence Pierre. Since the first game of the season, they have tied one game and lost four.
Second year coach Jared Melot returns in hopes of leading his team to another victory against the Eagles. Coach Melot’s overall record is 13-22-3, and looks to even the wins to lost ratio. Coach Melot may want to come into the season with a new strategy in hopes to obtaining a winning record. Coach Melot needs to focus on his defense this season as they allowed 46 goals compared to 22 goals scored.
The Eagles, on the other hand are starting the season hot. The Eagles have played multiple overtime games this season that were nail biters. The first game of the season was close, as the Eagles won 1-0 in overtime. Senior Hunter Rosenberg set up freshman Cade Harmon with the game winning header. The key to the Eagles’ success this season has been fantastic teamwork. The team uses the whole field throughout the game with precision passes. Eastern’s defense is fortified with a solid goalie, Quentin Keibler, and relentless defenders. The defense allowed only three goals in the first four games. In comparison, the Lions have allowed nine goals in their first four games, so watch how they hold against the Eagles’ impressive offense.
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Image courtesy of Matt Wolek/The Waltonian