This past week, it did just that with home victories over Framingham State University and Western Connecticut. With an opportunity to move into a tie for third place in the conference Saturday, however, Eastern gave up two goals in less than a minute after moving out to an early lead in a 3-2 Little East Conference loss in the rain at Worcester State University's Coughlin Field.

Now 1-3 away from home this year, Eastern (5-4, 3-2 LEC) entered play sharing fourth place in the conference with Westfield State University. Eastern retains a share of fourth, but is now locked in a four-way tie for that position with Worcester State (6-4, 3-2 LEC) and three additional rivals.

Senior forward Laura Chicorka (Enfield) knocked in a rebound in the sixth minute Saturday to propel the Warriors into a quick lead, but the hosts answered right back by tying the match ten minutes later, and surging ahead for good with their second goal in a span of 43 seconds.

After senior Erika Lepkowski provided Worcester with an insurance goal 16 minutes into the second half, Eastern  junior midfielder Gabriela Meza (Norwalk) cut the gap to one by scoring her first goal of the year with ten minutes left.  Eastern had a chance late with consecutive penalty corners, but Worcester freshman keeper Alison Beiksha rejected a bid by Eastern senior Hannah Keiser (Danbury) from the left side to help the hosts preserve the one-goal lead.

 

Beiksha stopped nine of the 11 shots she saw on net while Eastern junior Samantha Scavo (Redding) recorded four saves in the loss which followed LEC shutouts of Framingham State and Western Connecticut

Eastern hosts Fitchburg State University Wednesday at 4 p.m.