The visiting Eastern Vikings ran over Washington Township, 5-0, in an intense, physical Olympic Conference American Division game and raised their record to 12-1 overall, 7-0 in the division. Washington Township dropped to 8-2, 4-2.

At the time of the tug-of-war between Rose and Papa, the Vikings led, 2-0, on goals by Papa and Kelsey Mitchell. By intermission Eastern had built a 4-0 lead.

Mitchell, the Vikings' all-time career scoring leader, registered a hat trick. Melanie Dawson also scored for the winners.

"The last game, we really dominated [Township] but the score didn't reflect it," said Mitchell, a center forward who has 37 goals this season. "So we were out to make a statement today. We just wanted to prove that we were No. 1."

Eastern nipped Washington Township, 2-1, on Sept. 17 at home after outshooting the Minutemaids, 21-4, and outcornering them, 22-3. Neither Eastern coach Danyle Heilig nor the team was pleased, even though Washinton Township goaltender Brianna Shea gave a stellar performance in stopping 16 shots.

This time, Heilig wanted her team to dominate statistically again, but to have it reflected on the scoreboard. They did just that.

The Vikings outshot Township, 18-2, and outcornered the Minutemaids, 14-2, as bodies continually hit the artificial turf at Township.

"It was probably one of the most intense games I ever played in," said Rose, a senior three-year starter. "This was definitely more physical than the last game."

So physical, in fact, that Rose drew a yellow card and two of her teammates, senior Stephanie Gardner and junior Erin Waller, drew green cards.

"We haven't had any cards all season," said Township midfielder Lisa Patrone, one of the best at her position in the area.

"We haven't let in more than two goals all season and this is the first game we haven't scored in. The preparation we did for this game was more than we've done for any game before. And to see us not come out with a win or a goal is a little upsetting."

To neutralize Patrone, a senior center midfielder who is a catalyst in Township's offense, Heilig had a plan.

"You neutralize her by putting someone great on her from the center midfield position and that's Jaclyn Beasley," Heilig said. "She was our right back last year and was an all-South Jersey defender. This year she has demonstrated that she could be the best midfielder in South Jersey."

Township coach Jeannine O'Connor didn't feel that her players were focused enough in the first half. They weren't executing the basics well enough and before they knew it, they trailed 4-0.

"That is a quality team," O'Connor said about Eastern. "All 11 players, I don't see a weak spot there. You have to play your best game to compete and we did not do that today."

Eastern   4 1 - 5

Washington Township   0 0 - 0

Goals: E – Mariel Papa, Melanie Dawson, Kelsey Mitchell (3).

Saves: E- Alana Barry 2. WT: Brianna Shea 11.

Contact staff writer Bill Iezzi at 856-779-3826 or biezzi@phillynews.com