Box Score PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—The seventh-ranked Hobart College hockey team fell to second-ranked SUNY Plattsburgh 5-2 in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament tonight at the Stafford Ice Arena. The Statesmen finish the season with an 18-8-2 overall mark, while the Cardinals improve to 24-4-0 and advance to the semifinal round to be held next weekend.

The Cardinals opened up the scoring, as sophomore Joey Wilson (Newmarket, Ontario) found the back of the net less than six minutes into the contest. He was set up by junior Shawn Dennis (Clinton Township, Mich.) and sophomore Tom Breslin (Hampton, N.H.).

Junior Statesman Jason Merritt (Chapel Hill, N.C.) answered at the 10 minute, 7 second mark with his fourth goal of the season. First-year Daniel Organ (Simi, Calif.) and senior Ted Brzek (Duxbury, Mass.) assisted on the play.

Plattsburgh broke the 1-1 tie just 1:23 into the second period, thanks to a power-play tally from junior Nick Rolls (Marysville, Mich.). Sophomore Phil Farrow (Amherst, Nova Scotia) and first-year Ryan Corry (Calgary, Alberta) recorded the helpers.

Although the Statesmen were outshot 16-9 in the second stanza, they had a few chances to even the game. First-year Kyle Whitaker’s (Fort Wayne, Ind.) hard shot from the point in the 14th minute narrowly missed, hitting the top corner of the post.

Three minutes, 33 seconds into the third period, Plattsburgh netted its third score of the contest. This time it was Rolls finding Farrow for the goal that gave the Cardinals a 3-1 lead. With 6:41 remaining, Farrow struck again to give the hosts a 4-1 advantage. Corry registered assists on both Farrow tallies.

The Statesmen scored a man-up goal with 1:45 left to play, after pulling junior goalie Keith Longo (Hopedale, Mass.) in the final minutes of the period. Junior Bryant Harris (Plainfield, N.H.) recorded the goal, set up by Merritt and junior Andrew Brennan (Milford, Mass.).

In net, Longo had many key saves, including stopping first-year Cardinal and leading scorer Dylan Clarke (Belleville, Ontario) on a one-on-one breakaway at 1:27 in the second period. He finished with 44 saves, while first-year Plattsburgh goaltender Bryan Hince (Tillsonburg, Ontario) collected 26.

Overall, Plattsburgh outshot Hobart 49-28, and converted 2-of-5 power play opportunities while the Statesmen went 0-for-4.