NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Coast Guard defense held Eastern Connecticut to two first half goals as the Bears took down the Warriors 15-7 in the two team's season opener Tuesday night.

Coast Guard (1-0) was led by junior Benner Geurtsen who had a game high five points on three goals and two assists. Sophomore Riley McNulty also finished the game with a hat trick adding an assist for four points. In his collegiate debut, freshman Will Iorio tallied four points on two goals and two assists. Junior Ian Logan and Anthony Wyler each scored two goals while freshman Matty Johnson had a goal and an assist for his first two collegiate points.

Eastern (0-1) was led by junior Samuel Watson, who had a team high three goals. Senior Harrison Urda finished with three points on a goal and two assists while senior Matthew Rougeot tallied a goal and an assist.

The two teams swapped goals in the first 2:15 of the game before the Bears rattled off four straight goals to end the first quarter. Johnson started the run by firing home a pass from Geurtsen followed by goals from McNulty, Wyler and Logan.

The Warriors managed to pull within three at the start of the second quarter before Coat Guard would once against go on a scoring run, netting four straight goals to end the half. The Bears once again spread the wealth as all four of the goals were scored by different players (sophomore Logan Morin, junior Jack Pope, McNulty and Geurtsen) making the halftime score 9-2.

It was more of the same in the second half as the Bears pushed their lead all the way to 11, wrapping up their season opening win for the third straight season, 15-7.  

The Coast Guard defense picked up where they left off last year causing 15 turnovers and picking up 24 ground balls. Junior Mike McCaslin led the way with four caused turnovers and three ground balls. Classmate Tome Bleifuss had two caused turnovers with a team high four ground balls.

Junior Colin Cashin finished the night winning 7-16 face offs. Freshman Ethan Geurtsen was perfect winning 2-2 while junior Nicholas Wittrock won 2-5.

Junior Trey Johnson (1-0) made three saves allowing four goals. Sophomore Charles McAllister relieved Johnson in the second half making one save.

Sophomore Taylor Huta (0-1) made 12 saves allowing 15 goals in his first career start.

The Bears are back in action on Saturday, March 3rd when they travel north to take on Norwich in non-conference action. Opening face off is 1:00 pm.