WATERVILLE — Colby College cut through the disappointment of a two-goal loss to the top-ranked team in the nation and Thursday’s arctic wind to dominate Emmanuel College 17-5 in a non-conference match at Bill Alfond Field.

The Mules scored the first eight goals in each half and were never seriously threatened by Emmanuel, which didn’t get on the scoreboard until the final minute of the first half and scored its other four goals in the fourth quarter with the game long decided.

Sophomore attacker Austin Sayre scored a season-high five goals for Colby, which improved to 3-2 on the season.

“We just connected our shots, played well, moved the ball well,” Sayre said.

Sayre led nine different Mules who found the back of the net. Senior attackers Derek Youngman, John Grimaldi and Mark Phillips each scored twice, as did freshman midfielder Cillian Connor.

Youngman and Grimaldi also had two assists apiece. The Mules outshot the Saints, 46-26.

Sayre and Youngman scored the first two goals of a sloppy first period in which the teams combined for 21 turnovers (11 by Colby). The Mules still managed to put 12 shots on net and would have emerged from the quarter with a bigger cushion than the 4-0 they built if not for eight saves by Emmanuel’s Austin Lauzier.

“We just try to play our game,” Youngman said. “I know things weren’t clicking early but we stick what we’re good at and what we’re used to and things just started going our way. We’re glad we could turn things around and get some goals on the scoreboard.”

Sayre, who needed just seven shots to score his five goals, opened the scoring in the second quarter with his second goal. Chris Curtis finally got the Saints (2-4) on the board

Sayre scored three goals in an 8-0 Colby run in the third quarter that put the game out of reach.

Tony Cibelli had two goals to lead Emmanuel. Tyler Will started in goal for the Mules and made five saves on six shots, while Dylan Rothenberg stopped eight of 12 shots in relief.

Colby, which also has wins over Maine Maritime and Trinity, nearly pulled off an upset over defending national champion Tufts last Saturday. The Mules faced a pair of four-goal deficits in the second half but ultimately rallied to pull within one midway through the fourth quarter. Tufts added an insurance goal with 6:12 left and ended up winning, 11-9.

“Obviously, we were disappointed with the loss but we fought for 60 minutes of that game,” Youngman said. “I’m just looking forward to Connecticut College. Hopefully, we can string a couple of wins together.”

The Mules host Connecticut College at 1 p.m. Saturday before beginning a string of four straight road games at Washington and Lee College in Lexington, Va. next Tuesday.

Randy Whitehouse — 621-5638

rwhitehouse@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @RAWmaterial33