Box Score Box Score

RYE, N.Y.—The Hobart hockey team rallied from a four goal deficit to get within one, but the Statesmen couldn't get the game-tying goal as they lost 5-4 to No. 11 Manhattanville in an ECAC West game tonight at the Playland Ice Casino.

The Valiants (15-9-1-, 3-9-0) jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 15:28 in the first period. Scott Hudson registered the first goal of the game off an assist from Brendan Turner. Just 1:22 seconds later, the Statesmen (14-9-2, 4-7-1) responded to tie the game. Sophomore Frank Salituro scored his eighth goal of the year. Senior Christopher Bower earned the assist.

Manhattanville took control in the second period scoring four straight goals, three coming over a span of two minutes. Luc VanNatter made it 2-1 at 5:57. At 7:02 Victor Nordenson collected a pass from Ronnie Smith and fired into the back of the goal to give the Valiants a two goal lead. Just 55 seconds later, Mickey Lang put Manhattanville up 4-1. Scott Hudson was credited with the assists. The Valiants added a fourth goal in the middle period at 10:14. Artem Gumenyuk registerd a shorthanded goal after a pass from Brett Slaski to make it 5-1.

The second period scoring frenzy continued 1:35 later, this time with Hobart getting in on the action. Senior Patrick Moriarty made it 5-2 with his fourth goal of the year and second in as many days. Senior Kyle Whitaker and junior Gregory Ciciola set up the play.

Hobart kept the momentum going into the final period. At 4:19, Salituro scored his second goal of the game on a power play to make it 5-3. Sophomores Ryan Corcoran and Mike White earned the assists. It was Salituro's ninth goal of the season. With 1:25 left in the game, sophomore David Stevens scored a power-play goal to get the Statesmen within one. Ciciola and senior Matthew Wallace were credited with the assists.

Hobart pulled sophomore goaltender Martin Ausserhofer with 1:10 remaining for the extra-skater in an attempt to score the game-tying goal, but the Statesmen were unable to get a shot past Manhattanville goalie Steve Parry. The Valiants held a slight 33-32 advantage in shots. Hobart was 2-for-6 on the power play, while the Valiants were 0-for-4.

Sophomore Nick Broadwater played the opening 46:47 in goal for Hobart and made 23 saves. Ausserhofer came in for 12:03 and stopped five shots. Sergiy Sorokolat played the opening 30:07 in goal for Manhattanville and registered nine saves. Steve Parry came in for the final 29:52 and finished with 19 saves.

The Statesmen and the Valiants will meet again on Wednesday, Feb. 23 in Geneva, N.Y. in the first round of the ECAC West conference tournament.