ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– In a match-up of unbeaten teams in the MAC Commonwealth, Eastern University Men's Lacrosse dropped a 15-11 decision to the No. 14 York College Spartans. Ethan Myers made 16 saves, and Christopher Fanelli scored four times and added an assist.

The Eagles (7-7, 3-1) scored six of the final eight goals in the game and gave up only two goals in settled situations in the second half, but the Spartans got two big plays from senior attack Will Harnick to hold off Eastern's late charge. Lucas Trudel fired a shot off the inside of the pipe that would have cut the York lead to 13-9, instead, the ball bounced toward midfield where Harnick won a ground ball battle and scored in transition.

The Eagles answered with goals from Connor Bachman and Jason Poole and had the ball after a save from Myers with a chance to pull within three. Harnick intercepted a ball in the ride and found Michael Russo for a shot and an empty goal. The Eagles added man-up goal from Christopher Fanelli late, but York won the ensuing faceoff and held on for the win.

To start, the Spartans took advantage of their extra-man opportunities to build a 5-1 lead early. York (8-5, 4-0) scored three times in a two and a half minute stretch as the Eagles had players in the box. The Spartans scored five man-up goals in the game.

After the initial blitz, the Eagles settled in and the game slowed down. Christopher Fanelli scored with 5:52 left in the period. Both teams had three possessions to close the first period, but both goalies played well and the quarter ended with York up 5-2.

For a second, it seemed that Eastern cut the lead to three when a shot from in close by Avery Porter hit the outside of the net, but the Eagles needed a Dominic Marangoni interception to get the ball back. Out of a time-out, Nicholas Fanelli fed his brother Christopher for goal at the edge of the crease.

With that assist, Nicholas Fanelli broke the Eastern Men's Lacrosse record with his 105th career helper. It was the 42nd time one of his brothers was on the finishing end of a pass. Older brother Kyle finished 12 in two COVID-shortened seasons. Christopher has put away 30 of his 82 goals after passes from Nicholas.

Ninety seconds later, the brothers reversed roles and Christopher fed Nicholas in the left alley fro a finish from close range. The assist was the 20th of the year from Christopher.

With the gap closed, York scored back-to-back goals in a nine-second stretch. The second of the two came directly off a faceoff win. The Eagles had multiple chances to close the gap, but York goalie Jack Keller made a trio of stops. Harnick scored in transition for an 8-4 edge. The Eagles had the ball in the final minute, but a save at one end led to another chance for Harnick and a 9-4 York lead.

Ryan Drobnick scored on a man-up chance early in the third before a four-goal burst from the visitors made it 13-5.  Trudel scored on a solo effort with four minutes to play in the third. Both Stark and Christopher Fanelli had chances from in close, but again Keller made saves.

The Eagles outscored York 5-2 in the fourth quarter. Litzenberger and Bachman each scored once and Christopher Fanelli scored twice.

"I thought we played tough," Head Coach Kevin Wallace. " Gibbie [Nathan Gilbert] and Domenic were both really good, and our defense was very solid in settled 6-on-6. I thought Patrick McClain stepped up to the challenge and competed against their faceoff guy. We had chances from spots we want to get to that we did not finish, and we know against a team like that we cannot give them extended time with an extra player. We have four days of practice to get ready for Stevenson."

Marangoni had four caused turnovers and six ground balls. Gilbert and Brady Palmer each caused three turnovers.

The Eagles fall a half game behind York and Stevenson in the MAC Commonwealth standings. Eastern has three games to play, and York and Stevenson each have four. The Eagles are at Stevenson on Friday night.