ST. DAVIDS, PA – Defending MAC Freedom champion Eastern University rolled out to a 9-1 halftime lead and never looked back posting a 14-3 victory over visiting Wilkes University Saturday afternoon in blizzard-like conditions at Olson Field.
 
Wilkes still is looking for its first win of the 2016 season falling to 0-9 on the year. Eastern improves to 6-5 overall after the home conference win.
 
Eastern stormed out to a 7-0 lead scoring five first quarter goals and two more to start the second frame. Wilkes got on the board at the 3:39 mark of the second quarter when Jeremy Kachel (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) scored off an assist from John Wink (Glenside, Pa./Abington). The Eagles added two more goals in the final three minutes of the half to take an eight goal advantage to the break.
 
The lead grew to 13-1 before Colonel goals from JT Weitzel (Hampstead, Md./North Carroll) and Wink. Weitzel found the back of the net at the 4:15 mark of the third quarter while Wink notched his strike with 7:47 left in the final stanza.
 
Brian Manning (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach) played all sixty minutes in net for Wilkes finishing with 20 saves. Eastern held a 46-33 shot advantage while claiming 53 ground balls to the Colonels 30. Wilkes did win the faceoff battle taking 11-of-21 of the game's draws.
 
Wilkes returns home Wednesday hosting cross-town rival King's College at 7:00 p.m. on Senior Night at Schmidt Stadium.