For 30 minutes, Colorado College stayed within striking distance of the New York Institute of Technology. But the Bears scored five unanswered goals in the third period and pulled away for an 11-4 victory over the Tigers on Saturday afternoon at CC's Washburn Field.
Austin Carino scored four times for NYIT (4-0), the top-ranked team in Division II. Brian Gil added a pair goals, while Matt Messina tallied once and set up two other scores.
Hunter Sprole struck for a season-high three goals for Colorado College (2-3), including one with 1:17 remaining in the first half that cut the Bears' advantage to 6-3.
NYIT took command of the game by scoring three times in a span of 2:35 midway through the third period, then added to more late in the frame.
Sprole scored the only goal of the final period with a fraction under 55 seconds remaining in the game.
Carino gave the Bears an early two-goal cushion, but Sprole cut CC's deficit in half with his first goal of the season midway through the first period. Charley Perkins tied the game 1:17 into the second period on a shot from the perimeter, but NYIT answered with four goals to build a 6-2 advantage.
Max Pluss kept the Tigers in the game by making 11 saves during his 21:49 in goal. Brendan Hass stopped four shots during his appearance, while Scott MacArthur stopped all five shots he faced in the final 15:50.
Chris Powers had four saves for the Bears.
NYIT had a 44-17 advantage in total shots and converted on both of its man-up opportunities. The Bears forced 39 turnovers while committing just 23.
Colorado College will play the second of back-to-back games against defending national champions when the Tigers take on Division III title holder Salisbury University on Tuesday in Cocoa Beach, Fla.
