The Eastern University men's lacrosse team held a pair of first half leads before ultimately falling at Catholic University in a non-conference game Monday afternoon. The Eagles, playing without two top scoring threats in Ben O'Donnell and Andrew Minnick, were tied at 3-3 at the end of the third period, but a pair of late man-up goals from Catholic proved to be the difference as the hosts emerged with a 6-4 win.

Neither team scored in the opening period. Just seconds into the second period, Nate Trunfio finished an unassisted goal with a man-advantage to give Eastern an early lead. The Cardinals answered back just over two minutes later with a man-up goal of their own. Midway through the period, Matt Mandia  stepped into the attacking end for the Eagles and connected on his first goal of the year. That lead held up until Catholic's John Volpe tied the game on an assist from Mike Groh.

Zach Rivest made seven of his nine saves for the game in the first half, the Eagles on the other hand, fired only eight shots in the opening thirty minutes.

Michael Ryan gave Eastern a 3-2 lead early in the third off a pass from Nick Mandia. Catholic again tied the game with three minutes to play in the third. After Catholic took a 4-3 lead to start the fourth, Ryan set up Michael Hofmeister for his fifth of the year to tie the game at 4-4.

Catholic scored on man-up opportunities with nine minutes to play and with four to play to take the win. Catholic improves to 6-5 on the year, while the Eagles fall to 3-8. Eastern will take to the road again on Wednesday with a PAC game at Shenandoah.

Box Score