ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Lacrosse will open the spring season with a home game on Olson Field against the fifth ranked York College Spartans. It is the first of five games this spring against top 25 teams. The Eagles, who were picked to finish second in the MAC Freedom, will rely on a mix of veterans and newcomers as they seek to return to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time.

While the Eagles will feature a new look on offense, the defense will have a familiar base with senior goalie Jameal Hadeed leading the way. Hadeed led the nation in save percentage last spring and has stopped nearly 63 percent of the shots he has seen in his 46 games in goal for the Eagles.

Kadeem Colburn and Cole Millard will anchor a close defending group that will play behind a strong group of defensive midfielders. Senior Bryan Mizell, and sophomores Ethan Joseph and Chris Durning will headline the defensive midfielders. Head Coach Kevin Wallace believes that this experienced and athletic group will enable the Eagles to be solid on defense and dangerous in transition.

Eastern's attack will undergo a rebuild for 2018. The Eagles lost four of their top five scorers from 2017, but Wallace, while cautioning that it could take some time, believes that the pieces are in place for the team to become a better attacking team with more options. Junior attack Mark Buannic has 63 goals through 39 career games. He and Jake Billera are the two top returning scorers for the Eagles. Billera, who has played in the midfield and as an attack in his career, has 52 goals in 58 games.

Eastern is 1-4 all-time vs. York. The Spartans (1-0) started their season last Saturday with a 10-4 win at No. 20 Washington and Lee. Brendan McGrath, their junior All-American, had six goals and an assist in the win.