PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In his first career start, junior goalie Jack Farrell (Stratford) made ten of his 14 saves in the second half and the Eastern Connecticut State University men's lacrosse team snapped a tie by scoring the final three goals over the last 6:27 in a 10-7 season-opening non-conference win over Johnson & Wales University Tuesday evening at Anderson Stadium on the Providence College campus.

The win at Eastern is the first for head coach Marc Graham, who took over the program after serving the previous seven seasons as head coach at Vassar College. The Wildcats are 0-3.

Eastern's defense, led by veterans Trevor Ross (Stratford) and Tyler Koppy (Attleboro, MA) never allowed more than two goals in a quarter and the Warriors held a 33-22 advantage in ground balls.

The Warriors led by three goals late in the third quarter but the hosts closed out the period with the final goal, then struck for two while holding Eastern off the board for the first eight minutes of the fourth to pull even at 7-7.

While the Warriors were holding the Wildcats in check over the final seven-plus minutes, freshman midfielder Payten Nevins (Hamden) connected for what proved to be the game-winning goal on his first career shot to push the Warriors in front for good, 8-7, with 6:27 left. While the defense held firm, junior midfielder Jacob Testa (Southington) and junior attack Brett Chin (Framingham, MA) provided insurance with goal over the final 70 seconds to ensure the victory.

As a team, Eastern was assessed only three penalties, and the man-down unit made sure none of the Wildcats' extra-man opportunities paid dividends.

Chin topped all players in the game with four goals and added an assist, while sophomore Tyler Stein (Milford) attempted every faceoff in the game, winning ten of 21.  Junior midfielder Anthony Choronzy (Clinton) and freshman pole Jack Lombardo (Berlin) each picked up four ground balls and combined to cause seven turnovers.

Eastern opens its home season Thursday at 6 p.m., hosting Massachusetts Maritime Academy.