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EAST STROUDSBURG – Early goals from senior back Shaquille Stephenson and sophomore forward Marcus Torgersson, paired with some key late stops from junior goalkeeper Will Boerema were enough to lift East Stroudsburg University to a tight 2-1 victory over Felician in the season opener for both teams on Friday night.

Stephenson and Torgersson each drove headers past Golden Falcons goalie John Burns, while Boerema made a pair of highlight-reel saves in the final 15 minutes to secure the win.

ESU (1-0) created a majority of the chances in the opening half, and the home side's efforts were rewarded in the 12th minute, as Stephenson directed a corner kick from junior midfielder Jo Panuccio into the lower right corner.

The goal was the second of Stephenson's collegiate career, and his first since Sept. 12, 2015 against Pitt-Johnstown. Panuccio, meanwhile, picked up a point in his first game with the Warriors after transferring from Division I Rider.

Eight minutes later, Torgersson doubled ESU's advantage, as he took a cross from senior defender James McMahon and blasted a header into the net to make it 2-0. The Warriors had multiple chances to add to their total in the second part of the opening half, but shots from junior midfielder Brandon Levano and sophomore forward Irvin Zuzic were both stopped by Burns.

Shots were 5-5 in the first 45 minutes, with ESU earning four of the five corner kicks.

The Golden Falcons (0-1) netted their lone goal on a low shot from Leo Yank in the 60th minute, and they had two quality chances to knot up the score late. Boerema dove to tip away a header off a corner kick in the 78th minute, and he saved an attempt from Felician midfielder Kevin Valdivia on a mini-breakaway four minutes later.

Felician managed two more shots and three corner kicks over the final eight minutes of play, but the ESU defense held strong to prevent any further attempts on goal.

The Warriors improved to 8-1 lifetime against the Golden Falcons with tonight's victory, including wins in all five matchups at Eiler-Martin Stadium.

ESU remains at home for its next contest, with the Warriors hosting Caldwell in a 7 p.m. tilt next Thursday.