NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Yale head coach Brian Tompkins had a good feeling entering Friday’s opener with Central Connecticut.

“With all the changes we’ve initiated, I suspected we’d have a good performance,” he said.

But even Tompkins had to be a little surprised at how well his team performed. The Bulldogs were solid in all aspects of the game and cruised to a 2-0 victory over the Blue Devils on a gorgeous afternoon at Reese Stadium.

Sophomore Max McKiernan and freshman Max Morice both scored as Yale outshot CCSU 16-12 and had an even bigger edge in quality scoring chances.

“I was really pleased with our work rate and the tactical discipline we played with,” Tompkins said. “We passed the ball well and created two good goals. It really validates what we’ve been doing and is good for our confidence.”

Yale nearly had one of its fastest goals ever to start a season. Central kicked off, but a quick turnover gave the Bulldogs the ball, and Charlie Paris found himself all alone at the side of the net, but his hard shot was stopped just 15 seconds into the game.

Yale finally broke through in the final minute of the first half. Aden Farina-Henry sent a left-footed cross in front to McKiernan, who drilled it through the goalkeeper from 10 yards out.

Central (0-2) made a push at the start of the second half, but the Bulldogs withstood it and got an important second goal, and it was very pretty.

Chris Dennen sent a long pass into the near corner of the box where Morice one-timed a rocket past Central goalkeeper Josef Abele. Brad Rose also was credited with an assist.

“Max is highlight reel player,” Tompkins said. “I think we’re going to see a lot of special things from him.”

Goalkeeper Bobby Thalman made five saves to post his fourth career shutout.

Morice was one of two freshmen to appear. Kevin Michalak came off the bench and had two shots.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Sunday when the play at Lehigh at 1 p.m.