Box Score TROY, Ala. — In an aggressive match, Eastern scored late in the first half to tie it one a piece. A slow start in the second half, and a set piece header from Troy would be the deciding factor in the 2-1 defeat. 

A humid and hot day on the pitch saw Troy strike first in the 27th minute to take the early lead. After the Troy goal, Eastern began to settle in, but were struggling to get into the box. Before the end of the half, in the 44th minute, Delani Walker booted a beautiful cross to Isabelle Herting for her first goal as an Eagle, and the first goal of the 2024 season. 

"The goal was huge! What a great ball by Lani and a brilliant finish by Isabelle. So far this year, even through the exhibition matches, these goals have been an important early demonstration of our team's commitment and competitiveness in response to giving up a goal," head coach Missy Strasburg said. "When you have a team like Troy who plays so brashly and direct, it can be a challenge to transition into our own attacking style on the ball, which when done well, creates buckets of quality chances. In addition to our goal off the corner, we created several excellent chances tonight. Only two weeks into the season, we will for sure continue to polish our finishing and those quality chances will result in more quality goals.

The start of the second half was a similar script to the first. Troy controlled the possession, and was aggressive early with six quick shots in the first 15 minutes. A 77th minute goal from Troy would give the Trojans the lead once again. Eastern was unable to push across another goal as time expired. 

Despite the slow start to each half, the Eagles matched Troy in shots attempted (16), recorded more shots on goal (6-4), and fewer fouls (3-6) in the match. Senior forward Grace Terrill recorded a career high five shots with two shots on goal. Off the bench, Charity Freeman gave the Eagles a jump on the attacking end recording a career high four shots with one on goal. 

"Charity was a great impact player for us off the bench tonight, both in her aggressive pressing defensively and her tidiness on the ball," Strasburg said. "She technically was able to get the ball down and settle as we were building out the back, and helped us keep possession and advance the ball into the higher line."

Three Freshman made their Eagle debuts with two in the starting lineup. Defender Iris Mattern and midfielder Dakota Harris with Mattern playing 82 minutes, and Harris recording one shot. Forward Bella Bunnage played 22 minutes off the bench as well. 

The Eagles will look to bounce back Sunday, August 18th at 10 am against Kennesaw State in Kennesaw, GA. 

After their four game road trip to open the season, Eastern will back home September 5th at EWU soccer field to host UC Davis at 4 pm.
 

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ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

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