ST. DAVIDS (PA) – The Delaware Valley College women's soccer team's dream of its first Freedom Conference title came to an end in Saturday's championship game as the second-seeded Aggies dropped a 1-0, hard-fought decision at No. 1 Eastern University.

For the Eagles, ranked sixth in the latest Mid-Atlantic Region poll, they improved to 14-5 and captured the crown in their inaugural year in the conference. They will now advance to next week's NCAA Division III playoffs.

Delaware Valley, which was picked to finish sixth in the conference's preseason poll but, instead, reached the championship game for the first time in program history, is most likely not finished with its season. The Aggies have set a school-record with their 14-4-1 mark and are a likely candidate for one of the six bids in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Southern Region Championships. The ECAC Championships is the Division III version of the NIT (seen in Division I basketball) and its four championship brackets (Southern, Metro, New England and Upstate) will be announced on Monday, November 10.

The game was scoreless as the clock clicked under the 10-minute mark in regulation. Eastern had a golden opportunity as a one-timer by Kristine Zeiset appeared headed for the low left corner of the net. However, Aggie goalkeeper Cortney Bower made a diving stop as she deflected the ball out of bounds.

The result was a corner kick and the Eagles took advantage of it as Kara Neef's boot sailed high into the box. Ashley Hackman was there and the team's leading scorer headed it home for her 14th goal of the year and a 1-0, Eastern advantage with 9:11 remaining. Delaware Valley could not manage a shot the rest of the way and the Eagles had the title.

The Aggies controlled the tempo in the first half despite being outshot 4-1 in the first 45 minutes. They had a 3-0 edge in corners and were credited with their lone scoring opportunity with 30:54 remaining as a long, high shot by Christine Del Turco was snagged by Eastern goalkeeper Amanda Daveler.

The Eagles nearly scored with 20 seconds left in the half as a long blast by Hackman smacked off the crossbar. A similar play occurred about 12 minutes into the second stanza as Neef's long shot also went off the crossbar. Prior to that, both teams had a pair of opportunities, including a pair of shots by Delaware Valley's Nicki Martini. Her first attempt just 3:22 into the stanza, was dropped by Daveler and Elise Dauber was there, but the senior could not get a shot toward the net and the ball went out of bounds.

With 26:22 remaining, Johanna Lovallo got free for a brief breakaway, but the Eastern defender caught up and knocked the ball out of bounds for a throw-in. Eight minutes later, Zeiset had a great chance for the Eagles, but her header in the box sailed high and over the net.

Delaware Valley thought it had a penalty kick opportunity with 12:40 remaining as Dauber, the reigning conference Player of the Year, was pulled down in the box. However, no call was made and the play continued. Elise Carpenter picked up the loose ball to the left of the net and sent a shot wide right. It was the Aggies' last shot of the game and Hackman converted the lone tally just three minutes later.

Eastern finished with a 16-5 advantage in shots and held a 7-6 edge in corners. Bower was credited with six saves while Daveler stopped four shots and picked up the shutout.