Box Score GENEVA, N.Y.—The seventh-ranked Hobart College hockey team defeated Utica College 5-2 in ECAC West action today at The Cooler. The Statesmen improved to 16-6-1 overall and 6-6-1 in the league, while the Pioneers dropped to 13-9-1 on the season and 6-6-1 in conference play.

Sophomore Drew Wadsworth (Arlington, Va.) notched his second goal of the year just 1 minute, 20 seconds into the game to give Hobart an early 1-0 lead. Utica answered at the six minute mark, on a Sean Farley (Park Ridge, Ill.) tally.

Senior captain Shawn Houde (Manchester, N.H.) and junior Ryan Adler (Piscataway, N.J.) set up sophomore Nick DeCroo (Sarver, Pa.) for the Statesmen’s second score of the game, and DeCroo’s team-leading 14th, on a power play at 18:19. Hobart’s 2-1 lead was short-lived, as Pioneer Nick Kulas (Parma, Mich.) scored 20 seconds later. The teams took the 2-2 draw into the first intermission.

The Statesmen came out firing in the second period, outshooting their visitors 16-5. It took just 43 seconds for Houde to find the back of the net with the eventual game-winner. The go-ahead power play goal was set up by senior Brian Cibelli (Liverpool, N.Y.).

The remainder of the second period was scoreless, and the Statesmen held a 3-2 advantage at the second break.

First-years Patrick Moriarty (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.), Matthew Wallace (Skaneateles, N.Y.), and Tom Capalbo (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) teamed up for Hobart’s fourth goal of the day with 2:27 left on the clock. Junior Andrew Brennan (Milford, Mass.) found classmate Jason Merritt (Chapel Hill, N.C.) for the insurance tally on Utica’s empty net with 1:21 remaining.

The Statesmen converted 2-of-8 power play opportunities and outshot the Pioneers 50-32. Utica was 0-for-2 on the power play.

Junior goaltender Keith Longo (Hopedale, Mass.) earned his 12th win of the season after stopping 30 shots, while counterpart Anthony Luckow (Shelby TWP, Mich.) collected 45 saves for the Pioneers.

Hobart will be in action again Feb. 22, when it hosts No. 2 Elmira for an ECAC West contest at 7 p.m.