Box Score RYE, N.Y.—The fifth-ranked Hobart College hockey team defeated seventh-ranked Manhattanville 3-1 tonight in the ECAC West Tournament semifinal at the Playland Ice Casino. This is the first time the Statesmen have defeated the Valiants on their home ice in the history of the series. Hobart improved to 19-5-2 overall, while Manhattanville dropped to 16-4-5 on the season.

The Valiants put the first point on the board just 4 minutes, 49 seconds into the contest, as Derek Lynden put away a rebounded shot. Mickey Lang and Danny Genovese recorded the assists on the power-play goal.

The Statesmen evened the game at 1-all 5:12 into the second period thanks to junior forward Gregory Alberti's (Bernardsville, N.J.) fourth goal of the season. Junior defenseman Dan Miller (Massena, N.Y.) and sophomore forward Christopher Bower (Chevy Chase, Md.) set up the play.

At the 13:55 mark, Hobart sophomore forward Matt Wallace (Skaneateles, N.Y.) netted the go-ahead goal on a pass from sophomore forward Tom Capalbo (Mamaroneck, N.Y.), giving the Statesmen a 2-1 lead to start the final stanza.

Hobart got an insurance tally from junior forward Nick DeCroo (Sarver, Pa.) on a power play 8:32 into the third period. The goal marked DeCroo's ECAC West-leading 20th of the season, and ties him for ninth on Hobart's single season list. Senior defensemen Ryan Adler (Piscataway, N.J.) and Andy Brennan (Milford, Mass.) recorded the helpers.

Manhattanville held a slight 30-26 advantage in shots. After letting in the first goal of the game, Hobart senior goalie Keith Longo (Milford, Mass.) held the Valiants scoreless for the remaining 55-plus minutes. Longo collected 29 saves en route to his 16th win of the season, while Sergiy Sorokolat picked up 23 saves for Manhattanville.

The Statesmen will host Neumann (16-9-2) for the ECAC West Tournament Championship on March 7. The Knights upset top-seeded Elmira 2-1 earlier tonight to earn a spot in the title game.