GENEVA, N.Y.-The Hobart College soccer team was thrust into the role of spoiler this afternoon and nearly played the role perfectly. Hamilton College needed 115:39 to beat the Statesmen 2-1 and earn the 2000 UCAA Championship and its accompanying automatic bid.

The Continentals (9-3-1, 6-1-0 in UCAA) drew first blood when sophomore Schuyler Gellaty (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) knocked home a shot from inside the box. First-year Mike Galante (Suffern, N.Y.) earned the assist. The Statesmen (6-10-1, 3-3-1) equalized less than four minutes later when sophomore Adam Neary (Niskayuna, N.Y.) bent a shot into the upper right corner with sophomore Matt Catterson (Clinton/Clinton, N.Y.) earning the assist.

For the next 80 minutes, neither team could solve the other's keeper, though not for a lack of effort. Both Hamilton and Hobart got dangerous on several occasions throughout the match, but sterling efforts by Hamilton junior Doug Bellard (Garden City, N.Y.) and Hobart sophomore Cory Rosier (Liverpool/Liverpool, N.Y.) kept the match's forwards looking for answers. Bellard finished with seven saves, while Rosier registered 11 stops, just two shy of his season-high set in an overtime draw at Rensselaer.

Senior Chris Steed (Pine City, N.Y.) netted the game-winner in the 116th minute, thanks to a helper by sophomore Dimitry Maurice (Haverstraw, N.Y.). A lead pass by Maurice broke Steed into the clear inside the box on the right side. Steed's shot was true, beating Rosier to the wide side of the net.

Hobart returns to action on Sat., Oct. 28, when the Statesmen travel to Oswego for a 1 p.m., match.

-HWS SPORTS-