Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (0-2) finally got back to action after two straight postponements, but the Ospreys fell 12-7 to a very good Washington College (4-1) team. The game was Stockton's home opener, first contest since February 28 and beginning of a six-game homestand.
Eric Ellis (Voorhees/Eastern) scored two goals and freshman
Luc Swedlund (Randolph/Randolph) netted his first two career tallies for the Ospreys.
Mike Caposella (Wayne/DePaul Catholic) and
Zack Aho (Shamong/Seneca) each contributed a goal and an assist.
Washington opened the scoring just under five minutes into the game but Ellis tied it 1-1 with 4:58 remaining in the first quarter. Stockton then suffered a 16-minute scoring drought that put them in a steep hole. The Shoremen struck twice in the last 1:27 of the opening period for a 3-1 count and then added four straight goals in the second quarter for 6-0 run that made it 7-1.
Ellis ended the Ospreys' slump with his second of the game at the 3:26 mark of the second quarter and Caposella followed with a counter to get Stockton within 7-3. The momentum proved to be short-lived as Peter Jacobs scored for Washington 47 seconds after Caposella's goal for an 8-3 margin at the half.
After the Shoremen opened the second-half scoring,
Jamar Hall (Logan Twp./Kingsway) got on the board for Stockton. Trey Ritter extended Washington's lead to 10-4 with 13 seconds remaining in the third quarter but Aho raced in and scored with two seconds left for a 10-5 deficit after three.
Swedlund potted his first two college goals in the fourth quarter, both assisted by
Erik Anderson (Monroe Twp./Monroe Twp.). The Shoremen also found the net twice in the final period and downed Stockton by the 12-7 final.
Stockton goalkeeper
Justin Ruiz (Holmdel/Holmdel) made 11 saves for the second straight game.
Colin Wharton (Cinnaminson/Camden Catholic) sparked the defense with four ground balls and three caused turnovers.
Jacobs and Ritter paced Washington College with three goals apiece and Ritter also dished one assist. Tyler Powers chipped in with two goals while goalie Ben Flood earned the win with 15 saves for the Shoremen.
Stockton will play the second of its six consecutive home game on March 14 when the Ospreys host Bryn Athyn at 7 pm.
