Coming off what is probably the biggest regular season win in program history, the Eastern coaching staff worried that their team might look past a winless Neumann team. Their team put those fears to rest as they jumped to a 12-4 halftime edge and never looked back on the way to a 19-8 win. Ben O'Donnell and Nick Mandia each scored four times in Eastern's best offensive performance of the year.

Jimmy Caiola won seven of eight face-offs in the first quarter to set the tone for the Eagles, but it was Mandia and O'Donnell who stole the show early.

Neumann took the lead on an unassisted tally from Tom Hedrick against the current of the game. O'Donnell finished his first of the day on a shot in tight from Michael Hofmeister. Mandia gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead just 54 seconds later on a good solo rush to goal. 

Eastern then took advantage of a man-up situation when Mandia found O'Donnell just outside the crease. The Eagles would score on each of their first four man-up situations in the game. It was Neumann, however, that would take advantage of the next man-up situation. Hedrick got his second of the day with just less than five minutes to play on another unassisted tally following a procedure penalty.

Mandia found O'Donnell in tight against a short stick again just thirty seconds later to give the Eagles a 4-2 edge. Michael Ryan then connected for his ninth of the year with a minute and a half to play to put the hosts up 5-2 after fifteen minutes.

Matt Wagner picked up a loose ball just outside the crease to put away his first of three on the afternoon to start the scoring in the second period.

The Knights answered with a goal, but were unable to build momentum. As they had after each of the visitor's first two goals, the Eagles again immediately answered with a goal. This time it was Hofmeister after twenty-five seconds. The senior took a pass from O'Donnell, dodged a couple defenders fifteen yards from the cage, and fired home a low shot for his second of the year.

Mandia then scored two straight goals and set up O'Donnell for his fourth of the day to complete the four goal spurt. All four goals happened in a three minute stretch. O'Donnell's tally with eight and a half minutes to play came on yet another man up situation. After Neumann scored an even strength goal with three minutes to play before Wagner buried yet another man-up goal ninety seconds later.

Hofmeister took a Mandia pass to close out the scoring at 12-4. Eastern Coach Brandon Childs was pleased with his attack combination in the opening half. He said, "It seemed like every time I looked up Nick and Benny were combining for a goal. Our man-up group was precise today, and it was good to put away our chances in the first half."

Eastern held a 25-12 shot advantage in the first half, and Zach Rivest made eight of his ten saves in the opening frame. The Eagles also held a dominating advantage in the face-off circle as Caiola and Matt Colello combined to win 14 of the first 18 face-off.

The Eagles continued to build their advantage with three more goals in the third period. Colello scored on a long bouncing shot with 8:21 on the clock. Wagner scored his third of the day on an O'Donnell pass just nineteen seconds later. Neumann scratched for their only goal of the third period midway through before O'Donnell set up Ryan's second of the day for another man-up goal.

Dillard Brooks replaced Rivest in goal for the fourth quarter, and Mandia responded to a Neumann strike with his fourth of the day on a nice dodge from the right side. The Eagles got their last three goals from guys named Nelson. Chris Nelson scored with six to play on a rebound. Erik (no relation) scored his fourth of the year on an explosive long shot off a pass in transition from fellow freshman Joey Wilmot. Chris finished the scoring after senior Paul Macerino forced a turnover, ran out the clear, and delivered a pinpoint pass to the edge of the crease.

The Eastern staff was pleased with the execution of their team through the match and was particularly upbeat about improvements in offensive execution and on face-offs.

The Eagles (3-2) return to action Saturday afternoon at DeSales University.

Box Score