HAVERFORD, Pa. – Senior Chris Christensen scored four times for Haverford College's men's lacrosse team Saturday afternoon, but the host Fords weren't able to hang on to an early lead and fell, 8-7, to visiting Eastern University in non-conference action at Swan Field.

Under overcast skies and in chilly temperatures the Fords (0-2) broke out to a 6-2 advantage over the Eagles (3-0) at the midpoint of the second period.

Eastern scored first but Haverford's Dan LoSardo evened the score early in the sixth minute of the game. Just to the right of the cage LoSardo one-timed a feed from Andrew Dalke, beating Eastern goalkeeper Pat Groschan inside the post with a quick flick before the goalie could slide across in defense.

Less than 40 seconds later Christensen scored the first of a pair of consecutive goals in 69 seconds to give the Fords the lead, then stretched it to two with 8:30 remaining in the first period.

Dalke scored his first of the year not quite two minutes later to pad the lead before Eastern would stop the streak with a marker from Bryan Geotz. Christensen answered Geotz's goal with a tally 13 seconds before the first horn and then Hunter Sentner scored the opening goal of the second period to provide Haverford with a 6-2 edge on its Main Line rival.

Eastern cut into the lead with a Grant Ferguson goal at the 4:17 mark of the second but the Fords were able to close out the half without allowing any more damage to their advantage, carrying a 6-3 lead into the intermission.

The third period turned the tide for both teams as Eastern scored three times without allowing a Haverford score, knotting things up at 6-6, then took the lead for only the second time in the game with the opening goal of the fourth.

Christensen's goal at the midway point of the final period settled the score back into a tie, at 7-7, but Eric Waibel, who scored Eastern's opening goal for its initial lead, scored what eventually became the game-winner with 1:15 remaining in the contest.

Eric Caliendo had another solid day in the cage for Haverford as the sophomore goalie came up with 16 saves including six each in the second and fourth periods.

Groschan earned the win between the pipes for Eastern making eight saves while surrendering seven goals.

Faceoffs proved to be a trouble spot for the Fords in the contest with Eastern coming away with 14 of the 18 battles at the dot.

Haverford is back in action on Saturday, March 8 at York (Pa.) College with a non-conference affair slated for a 3 p.m. start.