Haverford, PA – Stockton University (0-1) faced a difficult task in its season opener, taking on a talented Haverford (2-1) team that had already played twice. After staying close for three periods, the Ospreys were outscored 4-0 in the fourth quarter, including three man-up goals, and fell 9-3.
 
Newcomer Eric Ellis (Voorhees/Eastern), a transfer from 2017 national champion Salisbury, led Stockton with a goal and an assist. Mike Caposella (Wayne/DePaul Catholic) and Colin Shea (Rumson/Rumson-Fair Haven) added one goal apiece. Stockton outshot Haverford 34-31 but could not solve goalkeeper Dylan Slack, who made 20 saves.
 
Ellis opened the scoring 6:53 into the game but his goal was matched just under two minutes later for a 1-1 tie after one period. Haverford went ahead 2-1 just 1:04 into the second quarter but Shea answered with an assist by Ellis 1:25 later to knot the game at 2-2. The Fords connected with 1:44 left in the half for a 3-2 edge at the break.
 
After Haverford made it 4-2 midway through the third quarter, Caposella scored with an assist by Tommy Gallo (Clinton/North Hunterdon) to pull the Ospreys within 4-3. Stockton then was held scoreless for the last 21 minutes of the game.
 
Haverford scored late in the third quarter for a 5-3 count and then netted three man-up tallies in five-an-a-half minutes during the fourth stanza. A late goal by the Fords closed the night with Stockton suffering the 9-3 setback.
 
Ospreys' goalie Justin Ruiz (Holmdel/Holmdel) registered 11 saves in the game. Anthony Brigati (Wayne/Wayne Hills), who missed last season due to injury, won 10 of 15 faceoffs in his first college game. Stockton was charged with 12 penalties and surrendered four man-up goals in the contest.
 
The Ospreys will be on the road again on Saturday for a 1 pm matchup at Marywood.