FREDERICKSBURG, Va.— Eastern University Men's Lacrosse won the odd quarters, but the Eastern Eagles were unable to overcome a fourth-quarter scoring drought and dropped a 10-9 decision to the Eagles of the University of Mary Washington.
Gavin Stark finished with three goals and two assists and
Brett Williamson had three goals and a helper to lead the Eastern attack.
After being tied 4-4 at half, Eastern put together one of its best periods of the year in the third. Playing at a deliberate pace, the Eagles found success despite struggling at the faceoff X. Stark scored twice to put the Eagles up 6-4. After the hosts scored near the midpoint of the quarter, Eastern scored the final three goals of the quarter to go up 9-5.Williamson completed his hat trick off an assist from Stark and then found a cutting
Maxwell Forrey for a goal. Stark completed his hat trick With four minutes left in the frame.
Eastern had the ball for a final shot chance but could not get a shot on goal. Brennan Kirn made five of his 15 saves in the frame.
The Mary Washington Eagles scored five times in the first five minutes of the fourth to take their only lead of the game. The Eastern defense earned several stops and the Eastern offense had chances, but none of the Eagles' eight shots in the fourth found the net. Eastern had a man-up chance for the final 41 seconds, but the hosts held their zone tight and got a final save to secure the win.
The Eastern Eagles had the only three extra-man chances of the game. On one of those,
Brennan Kaut scored in the middle of the first period to give Eastern a 2-1 lead.
Levi Souder opened the scoring four minutes in with his first career tally.
Williamson scored the first two goals of the second quarter fora. 4-1 Eastern lead. The hosts scored the final three goals of the half to send the squads to the locker room tied at 4. Kirn made seven stops in the second quarter.
Eastern (1-6) did not commit a penalty in the game. Nicholas Cimapaglio finished with five caused turnovers and eight ground balls to lead the Eastern defense.
Eastern will head south again on Saturday March 14 to take on Catholic in Washington, D.C.
