NEW LONDON, Conn. - Freshman Riley McNulty scored three goals and added three assists to lead the Coast Guard men's lacrosse team to a 12-5 season opening victory over Lasell Saturday afternoon at Cadet Memorial Field.

For the second year in a row the Bears start off the season 1-0 while the Lasers start 0-1.

McNulty's six points is a program single game record surpassing teammate Cole Hudson who tallied five points last season against Emerson. Sophomore Benner Geurtsen added four points with three goals and an assist while senior Blaise Curtis scored two goals as well.

Lasell was led by sophomore Ryan Madden who scored two goals with one assist. Junior Austin Tomasetti had two points on two assists while junior Alex McCormack-Kuhman, senior Austin Saitta and sophomore William Gillis each added a goal of their own.

The game started off tied with Curtis scoring the first goal for Coast Guard just under three minutes into the game. Saitta answered for Lasell taking a pass from sophomore Michael Susi and rifling in a shot with 4:34 left in the quarter.

Geurtsen scored right before the end of the period on a pass from sophomore Jack Pope giving the Bears a 2-1 lead.

Starting with the second quarter Coast Guard took control of the game rattling off eight consecutive goals between the second and third quarter. McNulty had five of his six points over this stretch while Geurtsen scored two of his three goals.

The Lasers won the fourth quarter outscoring the Bears 4-2 but was to little, to late as the Bears wrapped up the season opening victory.

The Bears defense, which was a staple for the team a year ago, forced Lasell to turn the ball over 19 times with 11 caused turnovers. Sophomore Connor Ellis led the way with four caused turnovers while freshman Justin Edwards, sophomore Tom Bleifuss and junior Alex Groff each had two. Ellis also had a game high eight ground balls.

Sophomore Trey Johnson (1-0) earned the victory working three quarters allowing one goal and making seven saves. Freshman Charles McCallister saw his first collegiate action in the fourth quarter allowing four goals and making two saves. 

Senior Jorge Salazar (0-1) allowed 12 goals while making 13 saves.

Sophomore Colin Cashin won 9-14 faceoffs while also scoring his first career goal from a won faceoff. Both teams were even in the statistic otherwise as they were both 10-20.

Coast Guard outshot Lasell 55-23, but only held a 30-27 advantage in ground ballls won.

The Bears are back in action Wednesday, March 1st, when they host Eastern Connecticut in nonconference action. Opening face is 7:00.