CENTER VALLEY, Pa.– Christopher Fanelli scored eight seconds into overtime to lift Eastern University Men's Lacrosse to a 13-12 win over the  DeSales University Bulldogs. Fanelli's overtime heroics were necessary after the host Bulldogs (3-2) scored five of the final six goals of regulation to force the extra period. Eastern held a 10-5 lead early in the third period, and the Eagles were up 11-7 with twelve minutes left in regulation.

After DeSales tied the game at 12 with 1:24 to play in regulation, the Eagles (2-4) put together a solid final possession and earned the ball to start the overtime period after a tripping penalty was assessed with eleven seconds to play. Though Con nor Killion had three shots and a ground ball in the final eighty seconds, the Eagles held the ball to start overtime with possession. 

With a play called in the huddle, Jake Gottshalk started with the ball in the middle of the field and the Eagles up a man. The junior midfielder started to run the play, but read that the DeSales defense was anticipating the motion and slipped a pass to Fanelli on the crease. The rookie attack caught the ball and slipped a shot past the goalie for the win.

"Gottschalk made a smart play on the restart," Head Coach Kevin Wallace said after the game. "He saw what they were doing and spotted Chirstopher with a good look. We have some things to work on, but it feels better knowing that we are going to work on them after a win. We built a good lead and then they really came after us on the ride. We probably started to play not to lose for a little there instead of playing loose and attacking. The forced some turnovers and momentum is real. It is good to get a second win in a row."

The Eagles scored teh first two goals of the game before giving up four straight tallies to trail 4-2 early in the second period. The Eagles then went on a tear where they scored eight goals in a 12 minute period surrounding the halftime break. 

Avery Porter moved into the midfield this week to get Christopher Fanelli on the attack. Porter found scoring opportunities and converted from the midfield. He had two goals and an assist in the final six minutes of the half to put the Eagles up 6-4 at the intermission. Porter finished the day with a team-high six points on three goals and three assists.

 Christopher Fanelli and Nicholas Fanelli also scored int he burst before half. Nicholas Fanelli finished the game with three goals and two assists. His helper to his younger brother midway through the first was his 100th career point. That goal proved to be the only Fanelli-Fanelli combination of the day. 

Nicholas Fanelli scored the first two Eastern goals of the second half. Connor Bachman and Nick Litzenberger also added tallies to put the Eagles up 10-5. The Bulldogs scored the final two goals of the third quarter to tighten the game. The Eagles got some relief on the first of two Connor Killion goals early in the fourth, but the DeSales defense created turnovers and chances. and finally tied up the game with less than two minutes to play.

Pat McClain won 15-of-24 at the faceoff X and Ethan Myers made eight saves in goal to help secure the win. 

Eastern will play a the University of Scranton on March 23.