Statesmen use big 4th quarter to top Hawks 12-7

Hobart Sports Information

The Hobart lacrosse team used a five-goal fourth quarter to shake a pesky Saint Joseph's squad and post a 12-7 season-opening victory. Statesmen first-year attackman Chris Pedersen made the transition from high school to college seem easy, recording a game-high five points in his collegiate debut.

Pedersen netted three goals and set up two more, while senior attackman Jeff Colburn also contributed five points on a goal and four assists. Junior attackman Kevin Curtin also enjoyed a multiple point day, depositing a pair of goals and assisting on a third for the Statesmen (1-0).

Sean Evans had a goal and two assists to pace the Hawks (1-2), while Tom Dunn scored twice.

Hobart carried a slim 7-6 lead into the fourth quarter, but took control of the contest down the stretch, outshooting the home team 19-4 in the frame (40-27 overall). Junior midfielder Tyler Cassell opened the scoring in the final stanza to give Hobart a two-goal edge with 13:56 remaining. Sophomore long-stick midfielder Alex Caton picked up the loose ball on the ensuing faceoff, raced into the offensive zone and fired home his fourth career goal with just 13 seconds run off the clock.

Saint Joseph's got one back with 10:10 left, but Pedersen and junior midfielder Mike Lazore scored just 40 seconds apart to put the game out of reach. Curtin, assisted by Colburn, added the final tally of the day with 2:42 remaining.

The Hawks grabbed their only lead of the day when Dunn scored the game's opening score. The Statesmen took the lead on consecutive scores by Pedersen and sophomore attackman Tim Bigelow. Dunn netted his second just five second before the end of the first quarter to tie the game at 2-all.

Pedersen put Hobart in front with good on an extra-man goal to start the second quarter. Keegan and Curtin sandwiched goals around an SJU tally to send the Statesmen into halftime with a 5-3 lead.

The teams alternated goals through the third quarter to set up Hobart's strong finish.

Junior goalie Max Silberlicht made 13 saves to earn the victory, while Erik Hotaling and Griffin Ferrigan combined for 14 saves for the Hawks.

The Statesmen held a 12-11 edge at the faceoff X as first-year Bobby Dattilo won nine of the 15 restarts he took in his debut.

Hobart will be back in action on Feb. 24, when the Statesmen visit Binghamton. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. WEOS-FM (89.7/90.3) will broadcast the game live, while streaming video can be accessed on bubearcats.tv.