Cardinals Edge Past Eagles in Conference Showdown
WASHINGTON, D.C.,- The Eagles traveled to face the Cardinals of The Catholic University of America on Saturday and lost narrowly, by a final score of 20-17.
After winning the coin toss and deferring, the Eagles started the day on defense, where they forced a quick three and out. After an Eagles punt, the defense returned to the field with strong play, this time with Caleb Hicks making an interception. The Eagles next drive went to the Catholic 46-yard line, but resulted in a turnover on downs, from which the Cardinals were able to convert. Catholic found a deep pass along the sideline to take a 7-0 lead. The Eagles then got the ball back, starting a drive with over six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
That drive carried over into the second quarter, as the Eagles were moving it. With several tactical rushes and a key pass interference penalty on the Cardinals, the Eagles had reached the two-yard line on a fourth down play. After scrambling, Ethan Eisenberg rushed into the endzone to tie the game 7-7. The Eagles defense forced a turnover on downs later in the quarter, but neither team were able to take a lead. The game was tied 7-7 at halftime.
The Eagles set the tone with a 23-yard rush on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. A 20-yard rush later put them on the three-yard line, but the Cardinals defense stood tall and forced the Eagles into a field goal attempt. Nonetheless, Alex Mullin converted the kick and the Eagles had taken their first lead of the game 10-7. In the next drive, Catholic made two quick passing plays to set them up down the field. They had snatched the lead right back on a seven-yard rush, 13-10. The scoring continued in the Eagles next drive, as Alex Eaton came in and put on a show. Getting the ball on six of the ten plays, Eaton rushed into the endzone from four yards out right after Eisenberg made a key completion to Brysen Delaney to convert a 4th & 7. Juniata led 17-13 heading into the final quarter.
Both teams punted to start the fourth quarter, as Catholic began a drive on their own 12-yard line. Despite reaching third down twice, the Eagles couldn't keep them out of the endzone. Catholic scored to take a 20-17 lead. After an Eagles punt, it looked like Catholic would just wind the clock down to seal the win. That was until Estuardo Salguero forced a fumble recovered by Damiyr Martinez to give the Eagles the ball on the Catholic 49-yard line with two minutes and 11 seconds remaining. After an Eagles penalty and a 12-yard rush, the Eagles faced a 3rd & 8, where a Catholic defender made an interception. With under two minutes remaining now, the Cardinals could kneel on it to take the clock to zeros.
Eisenberg threw for 104 yards passing on the day, 57 of which went to Delaney. Ivan Foreman led with 60 rushing yards, while Joey Menke and Eaton each added 49. Eaton and Eisenberg scored the touchdowns, while Dillon Wakefield led on defense with 15 total tackles. Reece Replogle added two sacks as well.
The loss drops the Eagles to 2-4 on the season, as they will face Susquehanna University at home next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.