ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Lacrosse will host the DeSales University Bulldogs in a battle of unbeatens in the MAC Freedom. While both teams have made it through the league schedule unscathed, the Bulldogs are the last unbeaten team in all Division III. The game, which starts at 1:00, will be a battle for the top seed in the upcoming MAC Freedom Tournament and the MAC Freedom Regular Season Championship.
The top seed has won each of the first seven MAC Freedom tournaments. Including last years 14-11 win over the Misericordia University Cougars, Eastern has won six Championships. The Cougars won the title as the top seed in 2017.
The Bulldogs have rolled through the MAC Freedom. Only FDU-Florham has played to within five goals. DeSales has outscored league opponents 87-38. Joe Neggia and Zach Bowen rank first and third in goals scored in league play, and Matt Barry leads the league in goals against average and save percentage.
Despite a DeSales missed the MAC Freedom Tournament last year. The Bulldogs allowed only 54 goals in league play in 2018, but their offense averaged only seven goals a game. That has changed this year.
The Eagles played an incredible non-league schedule in preparation for MAC Freedom play. Coach Wallace's squad took some lumps in a preseason scrimmage against No. 7 Cabrini and in regular-season games against No. 2 York, No. 9 Gettysburg, No. 13. Ursinus, and No. 15 Dickinson. Wallace hopes that the experience of trying to slow five top-20 offenses will prepare his defense for the Bulldogs.
Mark Buannic,
Trent Ashton, and
Colin Piper have been able to play in each of the last few games and with the attack intact, the Eastern midfield roles are becoming more clearly defined.
The Eastern defense has been steady in the league as well. MAC Freedom teams have scored under eight goals a game against
Brett McDonald and his defending group.
The MAC Freedom Tournament begins on Wednesday with games at Eastern and DeSales. Which opponents will be where is yet to be determined.
Eastern's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is hosting a pediatric cancer awareness event in support of Maria Middleton who is from
Kyle Fanelli's home town. The organization will be selling T-shirts at the game and EU Enactus will host a Car Wash in the Doane Parking lot in the hours leading up to the game. Supporters of both teams are urged to come alongside Maria as she battles her cancer.
