FREDERICK, Md.– Going into today's MAC Commonwealth Men's Lacrosse match-up at Hood College, Eastern Head Coach Kevin Wallace was concerned with how his team would respond to a long drive and an early start. His team came flying out of the gates and ran away to a 24-5 win. 

The Eastern ride was again a major contributing factor in team success. The Blazers were only 6-of-17 on first-half clears and the Eagles used that huge edge in offensive zone possession to build a 14-4 lead at the half. Eastern scored the opening seven goals of the game before the hosts scored single tallies on either side of the quarter break. With the starting attack out, the Eagles scored the only six goals of the third quarter for a 20-4 lead.

Led by Connor Killion with four goals and an assist and Nicholas Fanelli with three goals and four helpers, twelve different Eastern players scored goals in the game. The Eagles were 2-for-2 on extra-man opportunities. Christopher Fanelli scored two of his three goals on those man-up chances. All three of Christopher's tallies came on passes from Nicholas. 

While the Eastern attack was good through the day, Wallace heaped praise on his defensive group in general and on Nathan Gilbert in particular after the game. Several games ago Stephen Berman stepped into the starting line-up to replace an injured Logan Barlok. When Kyran Baker went down with injury, Gilbert moved back into a close defense spot after playing the early part of the year as an LSM.

"Gilbert was credited with eight caused turnovers today," Wallace said. "He completely destroyed anything they were trying to do on offense. His timing on slides was perfect, he communicated well, and he was able to be physical without taking penalties. He had a major impact on the game. I thought our LSM's also stepped up in front of him."

Ethan Myers made nine saves through the first three quarters and Connor Evans and William Blum split the fourth.

Nate Portray opened the scoring on the first Eastern possession of the game. Killion, who reached the 100-point plateau last game, scored the next two goals. Avery Porter made it 4-0 with ten minutes left in the first. Portrey, Nicholas Fanelli, and Killion scored for a 7-0 lead before nine full minutes had elapsed. The game slowed and Hood found a goal in the final minute of the quarter. 

The Blazers scored first in the second, but the Eagles answered with five in a row. Chrisotpher Fanelli had two of those goals. Killion, Nicholas Fanelli, and Nick Litzenberger each scored once in the burst. Porter and Nicholas Fanelli popped in the final two goals of the first half after the Blazers had grabbed two goals back.

Six different Eagles scored in the third. Christopher Fanelli opened the scoring man-up. Adam Booz, Litzenberger, Portrey, Luc Trudel and Siam Owen added goals. Jake Vitone, Connor Bachman, Booz, and Ryan Drobnick scored to close out the game.

With seven ground balls today, Patrick McClain went over 100 ground balls for the season. He went 12-of-19 on faceoffs.

The Eagles (7-8, 5-2) will host Stockton University in a non-league test on Thursday before hosting Messiah on Saturday. Eastern secured a spot in the MAC Commonwealth tournament.