ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – Eastern Men's Lacrosse won it's MAC Freedom opener, defeating the visiting Wilkes Colonels 14-3. The Eagles overcame the blizzard-like conditions, forced 30 Wilkes turnovers, and had four players record multple goals to cruise to the victory. It was also the first meeting between these two schools on the lacrosse field. 

"We are in conference play right now so guys know it all matters," said Head Coach Kevin Wallace. "We had fun at practice the last couple of days and just wanted to keep the guys loose. I think that showed today in the way we played and in keeping the game simple." 

Eastern (5-6, 1-0 MAC Freedom) scored a season-high five first quarter goals to take control of the game early. Three different Eagle tallied goals in the opening quarter to help build the lead. Grant Smith got Eastern started when he netted one of his two first-quarter goals to get the Eagles on the scoreboard just over a minute into the game. Smith would score again just under the five-minute mark to stretch the Eagles lead to 4-0. 

Tim Lamb helped the Eastern build its lead to 9-1 at halftime scoring four first half goals of his own. Lamb tallied two goals in the first quarter book ending Smith's second goal of the quarter to make it 5-0 after the first. Lamb then tallied the opening goal of the second quarter to stretch the Eagles lead to 6-0 He then tallied his fourth and final goal of the game 21 seconds after Wilkes (0-9, 0-1 MAC Freedom) got on the board to extend the lead to 8-1. 

"We put him [Lamb] in charge of our offense, and he has really flourished in that role," continued Wallace. "We are excited to see him play this way and take a leadership role on our team." 

Jake Billera and Bryan Mizell each tallied goals two minutes apart to open the third quarter and stretch the lead to 11-1, each players second goal of the day. David Hipp tallied his first goal of the season when he converted on a man-up opportunity with just over six minutes left to go in the third quarter. Trevor Gallion closed out the scoring in the third quarter when he finished off a pass from Smith to make it a 13-1 Eagles lead after three. 

After back-to-back goals in the fourth quarter by the Colonels to cut the deficit to ten Smith netted his third goal of the day to make the score final at 14-3.  

Smith tallied a season-high four points scoring three goals and an assist while Mizell matches his season-high in points with three points, scoring two goals and recording one assist. Junior goalie Austin Mutter filled in for Jameal Hadeed and made a career-high nine saves while facing 28 shots.  

"Wednesday will be a way different game we have to move on from today's win," concluded Wallace. "We have to focus on Delaware Valley and get ready for whatever they throw at us."

Eastern travels to Delaware Valley on April 13th for a 4 pm game.