Cougars Defeat Eastern, 10-5, in Men's Lacrosse

UNION, N.J. (3/24/06) - Freshman midfielder Anthony Bertucci (Edison, N.J.) scored three goals and added an assist, as the Kean University men's lacrosse team defeated Eastern University, 10-5, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Cougars (5-1) scored five goals in the second stanza to build a 5-3 lead at halftime. Bertucci scored two goals in the second period, both coming off assists from junior attack Dennis Lukacsko (Lincoln Park, N.J.).

The Eagles (2-4) netted the first goal of the third period to cut the deficit 5-4, as junior midfielder Ben O'Donnell (Syracuse, N.Y.) scored off the assist from sophomore attack Michael Ryan (Souderton, Pa.) just 50 seconds into the period. However, the Cougars answered with four straight goals, as Bertucci scored the first goal and added an assist to pull away for the victory.

Lukacsko added a goal and three assists, while sophomore midfielder Josh Morales (Clifton, N.J.) added a pair of goals. Sophomore midfielder Chris DeCarlo (Sandy, Utah) had a solid afternoon, scoring two goals and winning 10-of-13 face-offs. Junior goalkeeper Dave Nichols (Florham Park, N.J.) stopped six shots in the victory.

O'Donnell netted two goals for the Eagles, while Ryan had three assists. In goal, sophomore Zach Rivest (Naperville, Ill.) made 16 saves in the losing effort.

The Cougars return to action on Wednesday, March 28, when they host Stevens Institute of Technology in Skyline Conference action at 7 p.m.