St. David's, PA (February 8, 2025) - The DeSales University men's lacrosse team opened up its 2025 season with a 20-11 loss at Eastern University in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon.

The Basics

• Final Score: Eastern - 20, DeSales - 11
• Records: DeSales (0-1 overall); Eastern (1- overall)
• This is DSU's third straight loss to the Eagles falling to 2-15 all-time in the series with its former MAC Freedom rival.

How it Happened

• DeSales started quickly opening up a 5-2 lead eight minutes into the first quarter on goals by five different players.
• Eastern countered with three straight goals to end the quarter and scored the first goal of the second quarter to take a 6-5 lead.
• Junior Jake Hurd finished the half with a goal to pull the Bulldogs within two (9-7) entering the halftime break.
• Sophomore DJ Verkade scored first to open the third quarter pulling DSU within one goal.
• The Eagles took control from there scoring seven straight goals to take a 16-8 lead and the Bulldogs were unable to recover.

Top Bulldog Performers

• First-year Jason Reilly and junior Mark Winkler Jr. each had two goals and one assist.
• Hurd added two goals and senior Pat Schuett totaled one goal and two assists.
• Senior Anthony Gash won 12 face-offs, had one goal and one assist, and picked up seven ground balls.
• Junior Taylor Wikert had nine ground balls.

For the Foes

• Christopher Fanelli had four goals and three assists.
• Nick Litzenberger finished with five goals and an assist.
• Frankie Fanelli added four goals and an assist.
• Benjamin Souder won 17-of-31 faceoffs.

Inside the Box Score

• Eastern out-shot DeSales, 48-39.
• Both teams had 41 ground balls and both teams committed 24 turnovers.
• Eastern won 18-of-32 faceoffs.

Up Next

• The Bulldogs are back in action on Friday when they host RPI beginning at 4:00 pm.