In their Patriot League opener, the Orange and Blue ran away with an 11-2 win over the visiting Navy Midshipmen on March 2. Over the final 51 minutes of play, the Bison held Navy scoreless on a meager eight shots, while the offense posted its third straight game of more than 10 goals.

The Midshipmen came into last weekend’s contest averaging 12 goals a game and kicked off the day’s scoring in just 66 seconds after the opening whistle. Chase Bailey ’13 would then equalize the game at a goal apiece, before the Midshipmen took back the lead with 6:08 remaining in the first quarter.

During the opening period, this game appeared to have all the makings for a classic Navy-Bison battle as the Orange and Blue had an answer for each tally by the visiting squad. After the Bison took their first lead of the day on Bailey’s second goal early in the second quarter, it was full steam ahead as the Orange and Blue scored the final eight goals. Sean Doyle ’16 attributed offensive success to “selfless play and the fact that everyone was always trying to find the extra man.”

Over the final three quarters of play, the Bison defense completely shut down the visiting Midshipmen while the offense benefitted from its ability to maintain long possessions, wearing down their Patriot League foes and allowing for their defense to stay fresh.

“[The Bison] were stronger physically, winning individual battles, and [the] defense pushed their guys around whenever they did have the ball; forcing turnovers and bad passes,” goalie Kyle Feeney ’13 said.

Doyle led the Bison scoring, registering three goals and an assist, leading to an award for the Patriot League Rookie of the Week. Bailey, Todd Heritage ’14 and Thomas Flibotte ’16 added two goals apiece, while Peter Burke ’14 and David Dickson ’15 rounded out the Bison scoring, each with a single goal.

The defense was led by Alex Spring ’16, with five caused turnovers and had six ground balls, and a five-save performance by Feeney.

The 3-1 Bison continue their homestand with non-league games against Massachusetts and Drexel before heading to Easton, Pa. on March 16 for a game versus Lafayette. All three games will occur during Spring Break.