Galloway NJ – The Stockton Ospreys (1-0) opened their 2021 season in thrilling fashion with a 2-1 victory in double overtime against Ursinus (0-1) on Thursday night. Dante Montesinos (West Long Branch/Shore Regional) scored the game-winner with 7:11 remaining in the second extra frame.

The tightly-contested game had both teams scrapping for opportunities until the Bears broke the scoreless tie at the 33:19 mark of the first half. Marco Grenda tapped in a shot off a scramble for the 1-0 lead that would last through halftime. Stockton held a 9-3 advantage in shots, with five on net, but could not find a tally.

Stockton broke through less than five minutes into the second half when a handball in the box gave Ervin Gjeli (Hasbrouck Heights/Hasbrouck Heights) a penalty kick. Gjeli converted the attempt to knot the game at 1-1. The Ospreys carried the play through out the rest of the frame but came away empty.

In the first extra period, the Bears fired a pair of shots, holding the Ospreys without an attempt as the game remained a 1-1 draw. In the second overtime, Sebi Morrello (North Caldwell/West Essex) broke into on Bears defense a squeezed off a shot that was kicked away by Ursinus goalkeeper Tyler Lewin. Montesinos pounced on the rebound and his shot gave Stockton the 2-1 victory.

Dino Gromitsaris (Bordentown/Bordentown) made four saves in earning his first win of the season in net for Stockton. Lewin finished with nine saves, several of which were outstanding stops that foiled quality chances by the Ospreys.

Stockton will host Gwynedd Mercy at G. Larry James Stadium on Saturday to open the Stockton Classic. Game time is set for 1 pm.