Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (1-0) jumped out to an early lead and pulled away for a 15-7 victory over DeSales University (0-1) on Wednesday night. Colin Hopkins (Springfield, PA/Springfield Delco) led the Ospreys with four goals in the season opener for both squads.
 
Stockton wasted no time getting on the board, potting three goals in the first 2:34 of the contest. Hayden Smallwood (Margate/Ocean City) hit the net 55 seconds in on an assist from freshman Alex DeLierre (Basking Ridge/Bridgewater-Raritan). It was the rookie's first career point.
 
Hopkins followed 1:52 later for his first of the night with a helper from Liam DiFonzo (Springfield, PA/Springfield Delco) for his first point as an Osprey. Smallwood tallied the third score from Connor Albrecht (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks West) for a 3-0 margin.
 
After a Bulldogs goal, Albrecht, and Steven Woolery (Media, PA/Penncrest) closed out the first period at 5-1 for Stockton. Reegan Capozzoli (Wayne/Wayne), Albrecht and Tyler Horvath (Chalfont, PA/Central Bucks South) offset a tally by DeSales for a commanding 8-2 lead at the break.
 
DeLierre scored his first career goal, with Hopkins adding two more scores to take a 4-3 third period and maintain a 12-5 margin after three frames. The Bulldogs scored twice in the final quarter, but the Ospreys hit the net three more times.
 
Hopkins, Ethan Fought (Bridgewater/Bridgewater-Raritan) and freshman Colin Wagner (Birdsboro, PA/Daniel Boone), with his first career goal, closed out the 15-7 win.
 
Horvath won 15-23 (.652) face-offs and scooped a team-high eight ground balls. Brenden McSorley (Mantua/Clearview) led the defense with three caused turnovers and scooped four ground balls.
 
Goalkeeper Colin Bernstein (Warrington, PA/Central Bucks South) made seven saves in the win.
 
For DeSales, Nate Perry scored three goals and dished an assist for four points. TJ Lowe started in net and made seven saves in 48:18 of playing time. Nolan Chiulli finished up with one save.
 
Stockton will play the second of four straight home games to start the season, when the Ospreys face the University of Scranton next Wednesday night. Game time is scheduled for 7 pm.