ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– After nearly forty days away, Eastern University Men's Lacrosse returned to Olson Field for a home test against a Lebanon Valley College team that won its first two league games. The Eagles used an 8-to-1 burst in the fourth quarter to pull away to an 18-10 MAC Commonwealth win. Christopher Fanelli scored six goals and added an assist, and Nicholas Fanelli scored once and added six assists.

The decisive third started with the Eagles up 6-5. They put together a lengthy but empty offensive possession. Ethan Myers stole a clearing pass and shrugged off a hit to set up a transition chance with a flag on the ground for the Eagles. Nicholas drew the defense in and Christopher finished. Eastern lost the man-up faceoff and only started into the extra man opportunity after Nate Hawkins forced a player out of bounds.

The extra-man opportunity technically failed, but a few seconds after the LVC defense had been at full strength, Kyle Mulrane found Christopher Fanelli for another doorstep chance. Mulrane delivered the pass while taking a high check that gave the Eagles another extra-man chance. The Dutchmen won another man-down face-off and closed gap to 8-6 with a man-down goal. 

After both teams had fruitless possessions the Christopher Fanelli converted his fifth of the day after a successful ride by Connor Killion. That goal started a burst of six goals in just under six minutes of clock time that put the game away. Christopher Fanelli scored his sixth and final goal for a 10-6 edge with 6:20 on the clock. 

Jake Gottschalk, Mulrane, Siam Owen, and Nicholas Fanelli scored the final four goals of the third.

Early in the fourth, LVC scored a man-up goal to close the gap to 14-7, but Adam Booz had an answer with an overhand bounce shot. Luc Trudel, Dan Davita, and Jake Vitone all scored their first goals of the year in the closing minutes of the fourth. 

The Eagles came into the game a little short-handed but got solid performances from from players stepping into new roles. Stephen Berman had five ground balls and a caused turnover in his first start on defense. The junior from East Brunswick, N.J. had a pair of lengthy runs on clears that brought the entire Eastern bench to its feet.

The Eagles had an 18-to-6 edge in first-half shots on goal, but LVC goalie Nick Serrano had 12 first-half saves to keep his squad close. Serrano finished the game with 18. He made 22 saves against the Eagles in last year's contest. Killion scored three times in the first half. Christopher Fanelli had two and Connor Bachman had the other. 

Connor Evans came on to replace Myers late. Myers finished with 10 saves. Anthony Firmani and Patrick McClain combined to win 17-of-28 faceoffs.

The Eagles will host the Stevenson University Mustangs on Saturday at 1:00 pm.