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So far, so good.

In the host Bears' season-opening, 8-4 victory over Good Counsel on Tuesday, the senior goalie was spectacular, stopping 15 shots while allowing only two past him. The performance closely resembled the second-half stretch of 2009 for the Interstate Athletic Conference co-champions, when Joyce allowed just over 3 goals per game during a 12-game winning streak.

Early on in the spring, he may have to be even better.

"I wouldn't say we're inexperienced, but we have a lot of guys who didn't start last year," said Joyce, a Cornell University (Pa.) commit. "We have guys like Luke Howard, Jack Findaro, Kiel Wiegmann who are getting a lot better."

One who did start, junior attackman Patrick Keena, scored a trio of goals, including two late in the first quarter. Another who didn't, sophomore Matt Opsahl, logged two of his three in the second quarter, bringing second-ranked Landon's lead to an insurmountable, 6-1 advantage.

The score was almost identical to the team's regular-season opener a year ago (9-4), but told a much different story. The No. 4 Falcons are significantly better than in their 10-8 campaign, with their most-talented roster in school history. Their roster includes no less than six Division I college commitments, and they can do something that's never been done at Good Counsel.

"We've got to get that banner; we're the only team without one — us and basketball," said junior goalie Patrick McEnerney, of a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. "We've got to compete with the girls, who are like a dynasty. The goal is always WCAC's but we definitely have the talent to do it."

A three-year starter in net, the Loyola College-bound McEnerney is one reason why. Many of his 11 saves Tuesday came from close range, and the junior figures to be one of the premier netminders in the conference.

But there is pedigree at every position. Attackman Sean Wright (Providence, R.I.), Graham Dabbs and middies Patrick Fletcher (St. Joseph's, N.J.) and Sean Cummins all scored, while defender Nick Gorman often looked like the best player on the field.

"But you make a mistake," said head coach Matt Durkin, "and they make you pay."

Indeed, the Bears are still on another level compared to anyone in the WCAC. In their minds, they should still be better than anyone, period.

"I think we can be just as good as we were," said Joyce. "I'd be incredibly disappointed if we didn't beat Prep like we did last year."