Neumann 13, Stockton 12 (OT)

David Soule

Boxscore
Richard Stockton (0-1) let a big lead slip away and dropped its season opener to Neumann (1-1) 13-12 in overtime. The Ospreys led by as much as seven goals in the match. David Soule (Kinnelon/Kinnelon) spearheaded the Stockton offense with five goals and four assists while Drew Flagler (Califon/Voorhees) added three goals and four helpers.

Soule and Flagler netted two early goals apiece as the Ospreys jumped out to a 5-0 lead less than a minute into the second quarter. Soule later scored two straight markers for an 8-1 advantage midway through the period but Neumann struck for three unanswered goals to close the gap to 8-4 at the half.

In the third quarter, Soule set up Matt Bologno (Glen Gardner/Voorhees) for a goal with 5:28 remaining and then scored his fifth of the game with 3:10 on the clock to give the Ospreys a 12-6 lead. Although Neumann got on the board 79 seconds later, Stockton still led 12-7 after three quarters.

The Knights reeled off five goals in a 10-minute span of the fourth period for a 12-12 tie with 4:40 to play. Neither team broke through for the go-ahead tally in the rest of regulation, and Neumann needed just 17 seconds of overtime to connect for the game-winner and defeat the Ospreys 13-12. Stockton goalkeeper Tim Wolcott (Toms River/TR North) finished with 15 saves.