Box Score OWINGS MILLS, Md.– A slow start proved to be too much to overcome and Eastern University Men's Lacrosse dropped a 21-6 decision at Stevenson University. The rare Friday night league game was an event for the host Mustangs to honor their seniors and their 2013 National Championship Team. With the excitement of the game, the Eastern offense was held without a goal for the opening 19 minutes of the match, and the Eagles did not have an even-strength goal from an offensive player until early in the second half.

The Eastern defense dug in well in the early going and held the Mustangs to only three first-quarter goals. Stevenson had a 13-9 edge in first-quarter shots and Ethan Myers made four of his nine saves in the opening 15 minutes. All the while, the offense struggled against the stingy Mustang defense. The Eagles could not solve the Stevenson goalie and committed five first quarter shots.

Stevenson built the lead to 6-0 before Patrick McClain converted off a faceoff win. From there, the game went sideways for the Eagles. Stevenson answered with a faceoff goal and then spent time man-up. The Mustangs scored five in a row and led 13-2 at halftime. Christopher Fanelli scored a man-up goal with three minutes left, but Stevenson finished the half with two man-up goals.

Nicholas Fanelli scored from Connor Bachman to open the second half, but again the Mustangs answered.

With several extended penalties, both teams spent much of the game man-up or man-down. The Mustangs went 3-for-4 in their extra-man chances.

The Eagles got goals from Christopher Fanelli and Nicholas Fanelli in the fourth quarter. Christopher Fanelli finished with three goals and Nicholas had two. Connor Evans played the fourth quarter in goal for Eastern.
McClain won 14-of -23 faceoffs in the game.

The loss puts the Eagles (7-8, 4-2) behind Stevenson and York in the MAC Commonwealth standings. Stevenson will host York next Wednesday in a game that will likely decide the top seed in the upcoming MAC Commonwealth Tournament.