Box Score Old Westbury, N.Y. – Bentley University scored the final three goals of the game in the 4th quarter for an 8-5 road victory over NYIT in the Falcons' season opener on Saturday afternoon.
Junior Matt Brooks (Brunswick, Maine/Phillips Exeter) broke a 5-5 tie with a goal 2:51 into the 4th quarter to give Bentley a 6-5 lead. They then finished strong with two goals late to secure the victory. Senior Alex Astarita (Bedford, N.H./Bishop Guertin) scored with 2:35 left, then one minute later Brooks scored again to give Bentley the 8-5 victory.
Brooks finished the day with three goals, while Astarita had one goal and three assists. Joey Tesoriero (Huntington Station, N.Y./Half Hollow) scored two goals in his first Bentley game.
Bentley started fast in the first quarter and ended the first 15 minutes ahead 4-1. Brooks scored the team's first goal of the season 2:35 into the game, and Scott Carvalho (Wayland, Mass./Wayland), Sam Hurley (Medfield, Mass./Medfield) and Tesoriero also scored in the opening quarter.
Tesoriero's second goal of the game, 3:12 into the 2nd quarter opened up a 5-1 lead, but that was Bentley's last goal until Brooks' in the 4th quarter. NYIT gradually chipped away with a goal in the 2nd quarter, two in the 3rd and a goal 26 seconds in the 4th frame to tie the game 5-5.
Brooks though gave Bentley the lead back for good with his goal at 12:09 of the 4th, assisted by Astarita.
Bentley's goalie Michael Haggan (Braintree, Mass./BC High) made five saves to earn the win in the cage.
Bentley will now look to make it a 2-0 start to the season when they play next Saturday at home against Roberts Wesleyan.
