Josh Cirocco scored his sixth goal of the year to help Eastern secure a 3-0 win over FDU-Florham. {Click the photo to view more pictures from today's game.}
Eastern senior forward Eric Giovagnoli, designated Freedom Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row prior to the game, demonstrated how fitting the title is by netting two goals and assisting the Eagles’ third goal in the win. Giovagnoli tallied a penalty kick goal in the 24th minute and scored again in the 52nd minute. He then found junior forward Josh Cirocco for the Eagles’ final goal to put the game well out of reach.
Giovagnoli, who was not on the Eagles’ roster the last time they made the conference championship said he was more concerned about that opportunity than about receiving the individual recognition. “I’m on this team to win a conference championship this year,” he said. "I’m just excited to have that opportunity on Saturday."
After two goals and an assist, Giovagnoli's team-high points total in 2014 increased to 34 (14 goals, six assists).
Tuesday’s Freedom Conference Semifinal game shaped up to be a grudge match of last year’s semifinal game. The Eagles entered the game both years as the No. 1 seed in the conference with FDU as the fourth seed, but last year the Devils got the better of the Eagles and slipped past them 1-0.
Cirocco noted that the Eagles have had this game circled on their calendars for a long time. “You never want to lose on your home field,” he said. “It’s great to get [them] back and be in the conference championship game now."
Eagles’ sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Stratton recorded another clean sheet, making six saves to tie his season-high set during the regular season also against FDU-Florham. “The back line played really well today,” Stratton said. “I know I can rely on them all the time.” All four members of the Eagles’ back line were recognized as All-Conference players.
The Eagles took the lead in the 24th minute when Ben Barnhart found Hunter Rosenberg who worked his way into the box. Rosenberg was taken out in the penalty box resulting in a penalty kick for Giovagnoli. Giovagnoli went right, converting his third penalty kick of the season.
The Eagles put four more shots on goal to close out the first half but didn’t find the back of the net until six minutes into the second half. Rosenberg slid the ball over to Giovagnoli in the middle of the field from the right wing. Giovagnoli popped the ball into the air with a right-footed touch, collected it and cranked a screaming shot just beneath the crossbar.
The Eagles put the game away in the 79th minute. Giovagnoli worked to the end line, crossed a pass towards the six to find Cirocco who buried his sixth goal of the year and seal the final score at 3-0.
On Saturday, Eastern will be striving to win its first conference championship since joining the Freedom Conference in 2008. Prior to that, Eastern Men’s Soccer won conference championships as a member of the PAC in 1992, 2003, 2005 and 2007. Saturday’s championship game will start at 1 p.m. on Olson Field against King's College.Note:
Freedom Conference regular season individual awards were released prior to Tuesday’s game. The Eastern award winners were as follows:
Offensive Player of the Year: Eric Giovagnoli
Coach of the Year: Mark Wagner
1st Team All-Freedom: Eric Giovagnoli, Benjamin Barnhart, JD Saracco, Jair Saenz
2nd Team All-Freedom: Jadon Ramsing, John Remsberg, Jamie Stratton
Honorable Mention: Josh Cirocco, Nate Roberts, Xavier Young
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