FRANKLIN, Mass.- September 1, 2022 - It took 77 minutes for the Dean College Bulldogs to break through, but once Melvin Alves (Brockton, Mass.) found the back of the net off a feed from first-year Jake Richard (Townsend, Mass.), the Bulldogs seized control, racing to a 3-1 victory over Lesley University in the season opener at Grant Field on Thursday. 
 
Despite a 7-3 first half shot disadvantage, Lesley took control with an unassisted marker from Adrian Esparragozza in the 33rd minute and led 1-0 at halftime. Lesley goalkeeper Josiah Williams made three first half saves.
 
Dean dominated the start of the second half, peppering the Lesley goal with consistent shots but failing to find the equalizer until the 77th minute. After Alves' goal tied the game at 1-1, the Bulldogs immediately added to their total. A long through ball from first-year Brian Allen (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) found the foot of Richard who lofted a shot off the outstretched hands of Williams and into the back of the net to give the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 79th minute. Seven minutes later, Dean added an insurance tally when Luke Palmer (Windsor Locks, Conn.) booted in a loose ball in the box. 
 
The Bulldogs outshot the Lynx 28-4 with a 21-1 advantage in the second half. Dean was led by Reinorf Kusi (Malden, Mass.), who finished with five shots. The Bulldogs had a 7-1 edge in corner kicks. Williams finished with eight saves for Lesley, while Jake Godwin (Norwalk, Conn.) secured the win in for Dean in his debut.   
 
Dean returns to action on Saturday with a 6 p.m. tilt at Emerson. Lesley is back in action on Saturday at Fitchburg State.