EASTON, Mass. — For a change, the LIU men's ice hockey team wasn't the new kid on the block.

Anthony Vincent scored twice and freshmen Josh Zary and Daniel Baldassarra scored their first collegiate goals as the Sharks rudely welcomed host Stonehill to Division I, topping the Skyhawks 7-1 on Saturday night at Bridgewater Arena.

Vincent and Jordan Di Cicco scored first-period goals. And after Stonehill pulled within a goal, the Sharks answered with goals from Noah Kane and Zary 26 seconds apart late in the second period to take a commanding three-goal advantage into the second intermission.

Vincent, a graduate transfer from Holy Cross, and Kane, a transfer from Mercyhurst, scored their first LIU goals. It marked Vincent's first two-goal game since Nov. 22, 2020, with the Crusaders against LIU.

Kane restored a two-goal lead with a shot from the point on the power play at 18:49 of the second period. Zary then wristed a shot into the upper left corner to stake the Sharks to a 4-1 lead at 19:15.

Vincent's second goal of the game and goals from Nolan Welsh and Baldassarra, all in the third period. put the game firmly away.

Di Cicco and Spencer Cox both were plus-4.

Vinnie Purpura made 15 saves to earn the victory.

LIU (1-1), now in its third season in Division I, was coming off an impressive overtime loss to then-No.9 Northeastern in the season opener. Stonehill (0-1) was making its Division I debut against the Sharks on Saturday.

LIU, incidentally, won its first-ever game in Division I (and program history), topping Holy Cross 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 19, 2020.

The Sharks now have a quick turnaround — and another challenge — on Sunday. LIU faces seventh-ranked Quinnipiac in Hamden, Conn., at 2 p.m.