In the end, the Cabrini Cavaliers men's lacrosse juggernaut was simply too strong. The Eastern University men's lacrosse program took enormous steps in the program's third year. The Eagles used solid technique and good tactical understanding to negotiate the PAC regular season and to earn a berth in the the final. That would not be enough against the fifth ranked Cavaliers. The now eight-time PAC Champion asserted their dominance early as they jumped to a 5-0 lead in the first five minutes and never looked back on the way to a 25-3 win.
Down early, the Eagles tried to extend their defense to force turnovers, and the Cavaliers showed the ability to solve every pressure scheme the Eastern defenders sought to employ. Cabrini fired 65 shots for the game and led 13-0 before Andrew Minnick broke into the scoring column late in the second quarter. The Eagles would pick up goals from Matt Colello and Michael Ryan in the second half, but the Cavalier machine rolled on. Casey Grugan scored four times and picked up three assists to earn tournament MVP honors.
The loss ends a season with high-water marks in several areas for the Eagles. Not only did they set a new mark for league wins, the Eagles hosted and won a playoff game for the first time in the short history of the team. Coach John Levis, who shepherded the team from club status to a PAC Final in three short years will step aside to continue his work with the Templeton Honors College. Levis leaves behind a team with a core of young players who are ready to build on the success of this final season in the PAC and enter a new challenge in the MAC.
Levis commented on his final game, "It is the kind of thing that you have to do. I have the opportunity to advocate for Eastern in the Honors College and to pursue several things there. It would not be possible for me to continue to Coach, honor my family, and pursue those opportunities." A national search is in place to find his replacement at the helm of the program.
The 15-2 Cavaliers will await word from the NCAA on whether they will have the opportunity to host a tournament game.
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