YORK, Pa.– As the fourth seed in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament, Eastern University Men's Lacrosse knew they would have to be near perfect in executing their game plan against the top-seeded York College Spartans to earn the team's first trip to the championship game. To overcome York's dominant faceoff play, the Eagles knew they would need to clear efficiently, avoid man-down situations, shoot with precision, and get great play in goal. They were able to execute the plan throughout. Nick Litzenberger broke a 10-10 tie with less than a minute to play and the Eastern defense held its ground to help the Eagles to become the first fourth-seed to make a MAC Commonwealth final in the history of the league. 

Though they trailed 5-2 after a quarter, the Eagles got goals from four different players to win the second quarter and go to halftime tied at 6-6. Litzenberger set up Bachman for a goal early in the second period. After York answered, Litzenberger scored from Avery Porter. Christopher Fanelli set up goals at the four minute mark and with 1:19 to play. His first pass hit a cutting Brett Wiliiamson for his first of two on the day. HIs next pass, a crease feed, looked to be too high, but Gavin Stark was tall enough to bring it in and bounce it in to tie the game. The Eagles had two chances to take the lead into halftime, but the York defense held. 

The Spartans won 11-of-14 first half faceoffs and 21-of-25 for the game.

York scored six minutes into teh second half and the two teams traded goals in the third quarter. Christopher Fanelli and Bachman each had tallies. Bachman's goal came with only five seconds to play in the period. 

Though the Eastern defense held, it seemed like the Spartan defense was also equal to the task. The Eagles finally broke through on back-to back goals. The Eaagles broke York's ten-man ride and Christopher Fanelli scored from Litzenberger, and then, after Eastern's only faceoff win of the second half, Williamson scored off another assists from Litzenberger. 

The Spartans (10-8) grabbed one back ninety seconds after Williamson's goal and then took advantage of their only man-up chance in the second half to tie the game. York attackman Will Harnick provided the finish. In doing so, Harnick tied the York career points record. 

The two teams traded stops and the Eagles got the ball back 1:48 on the clock after a possession-timer violation. 

Litzenberger Buried a step-down effort from 15 yards out for his 35th goal of the year and an 11-10 lead. 

York had three shots to tie. Myers made a huge stop on one and an Eastern defender took one off the body in the final seconds. 

Ryan Poole, who at the Nesties received the Comeback Athlete of the Year honor took 25 faceoffs. The junior LSM, who had never faced off before this year, won four,forced three turnovers and eliminated York transition chances on their faceoff wins. Nicholas Fanelli and Porter each finished with a goal and an assist. 

The Eagles will play at Stevenson on Saturday. Game time is to be deternined.