Colorado College exploded for five goals late in the first period and never looked back as the Tigers opened the season with a 15-7 victory over Division II Notre Dame de Namur University on Friday afternoon.

Moses Taylor had a game-high four goals, while James Mauk and Hunter Sprole added five points apiece to make winners out of freshman goalie Jackson Nye and head coach Guy Van Arsdale in their CC debuts.

Sprole gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead 3:11 into the contest, but Greg Bearson and Jamison Yergler each scored in a span of 51 seconds to give NDNU its only lead of the game with 8:33 remaining in the period.

Sprole tied the game with a man-up goal 1:39 later, and Brendan Gangl put CC ahead for good with 5:15 left in the period. Steve Rijo, Buck McKenna and James Mauk all found the net to give the Tigers a 6-2 lead.  

After the Argonauts pulled to within 6-4 on goals by Derek Kimbrough and Bearson, Colorado College regained control with goals by Sprole, Mauk and Carson Christman, each coming during the final 5:26 of the second period to give the Tigers a 9-4 lead after 30 minutes.

Mauk's goal with 3:16 remaining proved to be the game-winning goal.

NDNU scored the first goal of the second half, but Colorado College struck for the next three to build a 12-5 lead 1:07 into the fourth period on Taylor's second goal.

The Tigers finished with a 37-24 advantage in shots and a 30-23 edge in ground balls. CC was scored on four of seven extra-man opportunities, while the Argonauts were converted on two of three.

Kyle Bishop led the defensive effort with four ground balls and won five of six faceoffs. Zach Hoisington had three ground balls and caused three turnovers.

Nye made five saves while going the distance to earn his first collegiate victory in goal.

Colorado College plays at Dominican University on Sunday.