The Eastern University men's lacrosse team took another important step toward hosting a PAC playoff game with a convincing 21-8 win at Avernia College this afternoon. Ben O'Donnell led the way as he recorded a career best ten points with a five goal and five assist day.
The Eagles jumped to a 4-1 lead in the opening period. O'Donnell scored twice in the opening period. He set up Nate Trunfio for the first goal of the game, and Evan Ridington scored his first of the season just seconds later. The senior long-stick midfielder scooped nine ground balls to lead both teams in this category. The Eastern coaching staff has made winning ground balls a major priority for the team as the year has progressed, and Ridington led the Eagles to a 56-27 advantage in ground balls won.
O'Donnell scored the third goal of the game on a pass from Dave Mojica and then answered an Alvernia tally with a man-up goal with four and a half minutes to go in the period. After Michael Ryan scored his first of the day from Nick Mandia, the Crusaders cut the Eastern lead to 5-3 just three minutes into the second period.
O'Donnell, the current PAC player of the Week, took his turn as play-maker as he set up four goals in a six and a half minute stretch as the Eagles expanded their lead to 9-4 at the half. Trunfio finished two of those goals, Ryan had one, and Matt Colello tucked away his only tally of the day.
Zach Rivest made five of his nine saves for the day in the second period as the Eagles out-shot the Crusaders by a 15-11 margin.
The Eagles pulled away with a 7-3 burst in the third period. The Eagles launched 19 shots in the decisive third frame. O'Donnell scored three goals in the period. Mandia, Ryan, Mojica, and Jimmy Caiola also added goals. Ryan finished the day with four goals and three assists, and Mandia added three goals and four assists.
Michael Hofmeister and Chris Nelson scored their first goals of the day in a 5-1 fourth quarter. With the win, the Eagles (6-8 5-1 PAC) assure themselves of a playoff spot for the second straight year. They will have to win just one of their final two league games to be certain to host a semifinal game.
Box Score
