GENEVA, N.Y.–The Hobart College soccer team notched its first shutout of the season this afternoon, blanking visiting Utica College, 4-0. First-year Arash Ghoja (Wheeler/North Stonington, Conn.) led the Statesmen attack with a goal and an assist.

Ghoja got the ball rolling in the 17th minute, finishing a cross from sophomore Adam Neary (Niskayuna/Niskayuna, N.Y.). Hobart (3-5-0) tacked on an insurance goal 36 seconds before halftime, when Ghoja ripped a shot from the top of the box that Utica keeper Dave Booth turned aside, but first-year Ted Wilson (Hill School/Bloomfield Township, Mich.) was there to knock home the rebound.

After the break, junior Brett Donelson (Fayetteville-Manlius/Hanover, N.H.) took over the role of playmaker, setting up junior Jesse Martin (Cicero-North Syracuse/Liverpool, N.Y.) in the 64th minute, and first-year Courtney Tietze (James O'Neill/Fort Montgomery, N.Y.) in the 82nd. The Statesmen, who were outshot 10-9 in the first half, came out with something to prove in the second frame. Hobart outshot Utica (1-3-0) an amazing 24-3 in the final 45.

Sophomore Cory Rosier (Liverpool/Liverpool, N.Y.) made four saves for Hobart as he and senior Doug Limbach (Coxsackie-Athens/Athens, N.Y.) shared the shutout. Booth finished with 13 saves.

The Statesmen will be back in action on Sat., Sept. 23, when they host Nazareth College at 2 p.m.

–HWS SPORTS–