Box Score GENEVA, N.Y. -- The Hobart College lacrosse team recorded its third straight victory this afternoon with a 9-7 win over visiting Penn State. The teams entered the game, which was played in a constant rain that left Hobart's Boswell Field more closely resembling a mud pit rather than a lacrosse field, tied for the 18th spot in the latest STX/USILA Coaches Poll.
The Statesmen (5-3) jumped out to the early lead, a lead they never relinquished, on back-to-back goals by senior midfielder Spencer Niebuhr (Stony Brook/Smithtown, N.Y.) and junior midfielder Jason Ouellet (Avon Old Farms/Cheshire, Conn.).
The Nittany Lions (4-5) broke into the scoring column midway through the opening frame on the first of four goals by sophomore midfielder Will Driscoll (Fairport/Fairport, N.Y.), assisted by senior attackman Don Mayerhofer (Kellenberg/Rockville Center, N.Y.). Mayerhofer finished with three assists.
Hobart responded with the next three goals, one each from Niebuhr, senior attackman Jared Bebee (West Genesee/Syracuse, N.Y.), and sophomore attackman Dave Spratlen (Colorado Academy/Littleton, Colo.).
Penn State first-year attackman Luke Ogelsby (Haverford/Bryn Mawr, Pa.) ended the run with the Lions' second tally with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter. Penn State trimmed the Hobart lead to 5-3 on a goal by junior midfielder Eric Wood (Carthage/Deferiet, N.Y.) three minutes into the second quarter.
Bebee scored the only other goal of the second quarter to give the Statesmen a 6-3 lead heading into the break. Bebee has scored at least a point in 35 consecutive games, dating back to April 30, 1997. He also claimed sole possession of 18th place on Hobart's career goals list.
The teams traded goals to open the second half, giving Hobart a 7-4 advantage with 10:26 remaining in the third quarter. The Nittany Lions crept to within a goal on consecutive scores by Driscoll and Ogelsby in the waning minutes of the third quarter.
Hobart's senior attackman Kevin DeWall (Waterloo/Waterloo, N.Y.) played a pivotal role in the Statesmen's victory with his fourth quarter play. Clinging to a 7-6 lead, DeWall checked first-year goalie Chris Garrity (St. Mary's/Annapolis, Md.) on a ride, picked up the loose ball, and scored on the Lions' empty net to give Hobart a two-goal advantage with 12:05 remaining.
Less than a minute later, Driscoll closed the gap to one, but DeWall made sure the Statesmen prevailed, setting up Niebuhr's insurance goal at the 4:30 mark. With the helper, DeWall moved into a tie for 13th place on Hobart's career assists list with Marc Darcangelo '82 (60 career assists).
Senior James Murtha (Manhasset/Manhasset, N.Y.) recorded 13 stops for Hobart, while Garrity finished with 18 saves.
The Statesmen return to action at 1 p.m., on Sat., April 15, when they host sixth-ranked Georgetown.
--HWS SPORTS--
