Galloway, N.J. – Stockton University (6-2, 1-0 CSAC) nipped Montclair State (6-3, 0-1 CSAC) 15-14 in an evenly-played Colonial States Athletic Conference opener for both teams. The Ospreys crept out to a four-goal lead late in the third quarter and held off the Red Hawks down the stretch.
 
Dante Poli (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks led Stockton with four goals and four assists for a game-high eight points. Luc Swedlund (Randolph/Randolph) pumped in four goals followed by Sean Haddock (East Windsor/Hightstown) and Hayden Smallwood (Margate/Ocean City) with two markers apiece.
 
After Montclair State scored twice in the opening 1:24, the Ospreys jumped ahead 3-2 on a tally by Swedlund and two straight by Haddock. Smallwood and Connor Albrecht (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) also scored in a first quarter that ended 5-5.
 
The game remained tight in the second quarter, with three goals by Poli offsetting three by the Red Hawks for an 8-8 deadlock at the half. MSU pulled ahead 9-8 in the third period before Stockton grabbed control with five consecutive goals, two by Swedlund and one each from Smallwood, Poli and Reegan Capozzoli (Wayne/Wayne Valley).
 
Montclair State ended the run with a marker just two seconds before the quarter ended, but Noam Levy-Smith (Margate/Ocean City) answered early in the fourth quarter to reestablish a four-goal margin at 14-10. Two MSU goals only 34 seconds apart quickly closed the gap to 14-12 but Swedlund netted a man-up goal to make it 15-12 with 5:57 remaining.
 
MSU tried to rally again, getting within 15-14 and winning the ensuing faceoff with two minutes to play. Following a timeout, the Red Hawks committed a costly turnover and Stockton was able to run out the clock for the one-goal triumph.
 
Stockton goalkeeper Eric Lindskog (Montville/Montville) earned the win with 14 saves. Logan Holleritter (Oak Ridge/Jefferson Twp.) contributed defensively with team highs of six ground balls and two caused turnovers.
 
Matt Dancsecs paced Montclair State with a game-high five goals plus one assist while Christian Boyle added three goals and an assist. Red Hawks' goalie David Metzger matched Lindskog with 14 saves.
 
Stockton will head south to Virginia to face Mary Washington University next Saturday, April 9 at noon.