MORRISVILLE -- Morrisville State (1-0, 1-0 SUNYAC) scored two first period goals en route to a 4-1 victory over the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (0-1, 0-1) in the Bears’ season and SUNYAC opener on Friday night.

Geoff Matzell opened the scoring for the Mustangs at 7:15 of the first period on assists from Tom Longland and Jamie Nelson.

Four minutes later Patrick Stillar and Matthew Beer set up Taylor Vince for a 2-0 lead, which Morrisville carried into the first break.

At the 6:55 mark of the second period, Stillar scored on assists from Vince and James Jarvis to make the score 3-0.

At 12:47, the Bears got on the board as sophomore defenseman Kevin Carpenter (Denver, Colo./Notre Dame Hounds) scored with junior defenseman Brett Waters (Uxbridge, Ontario/Markham Waxers) and senior forward Sy Nutkevitch (Montreal, Quebec/Cornwall Colts) assisting on the play.

Potsdam trailed 3-1 at the second intermission. Former Bear Todd Hosmer tacked on the Mustangs’ final goal of the contest at 15:07 of the third period with assists from Beer and Stillar. Potsdam was unable to get any closer as they fell by the 4-1 mark.

Freshman goaltender Dylan Ellis (Oakville, Ontario/Aurora Tigers) made 23 saves in his Potsdam debut. Mustangs’ goalie Colin Breen turned aside 45 shots to earn the victory.

The Bears outshot Morrisville each period and by a 46-27 count overall. Both teams were 0-7 on the power play.

While disappointed in the result, Potsdam Head Coach Chris Bernard was satisfied with effort.

“I was really pleased with our energy, intensity, and attitude tonight,” said Bernard. “It’s tough to lose, especially when I felt we carried the play for parts of the game, but how we respond will show what we’re made of. Credit our veterans for setting an example for our new guys and credit the freshman for a solid showing in their first college hockey game.”

The Bears open up at home Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. against Southern New Hampshire University. Potsdam shut out the Penmen 6-0 on the road last season.