The Hobart College lacrosse team begins a two-game, non-conference road trip on Tuesday, March 27, when the Statesmen head to Buffalo to play Canisius College. The 19th meeting between the I-90 rivals is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Demske Sports Complex.
 
The game will be broadcast live on WEOS-FM (89.5/90.3). Fans can also watch the game online on ESPN3.
 
Hobart (3-5) is looking to rebound from a 6-5 loss to Saint Joseph's University. The Statesmen got a career-high 18 saves from sophomore goalie Sam Lucchesi and junior midfielder Matthew Pedicine was 9-of-15 at the faceoff X while collecting a game-high five ground balls. Lucchesi is sixth in the nation in goals against average (7.79) and seventh in the nation in save percentage (.571). Pedicine is also among the nation's best, ranking seventh in faceoff winning percentage (.650).
 
The Statesmen offense boasts three players with 20 or more points this season. Junior Chris Aslanian leads the team with 31 points on 15 goals and 16 assists. Sophomore Eric Holden is tied for the team lead with 17 goals to go with nine assists for 26 points and first-year Ryan Archer has 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points.
 
Hobart is ranked in the top 25 in the nation in faceoff winning percentage (11th, .582), clearing percentage (12th, .903), caused turnovers (15th, 8.00/g), turnovers (19th, 12.0/g), and ground balls (22nd, 29.5/g).
 
Canisius improved to 4-3 with a 13-12 win over Siena on Saturday. The Golden Griffins also have three players with at least 20 points, led by senior Connor Kearnan's 36 points on 11 goals and 25 assists. He's third in the nation in assists per game (3.57) and ninth in points per game (5.14).
 
Canisius ranks in the top 25 in the country in shooting percentage (3rd, .371), assists (9th, 7.57/g), points (18th, 18.86/g), man-up offense (19th, .417), turnovers (20th, 12.14/g), clearing percentage (22nd, .892) and winning percentage (24th, .571).
 
The Statesmen lead the series 17-1 and are currently riding a seven-game winning streak against the Golden Griffins. Hobart prevailed 18-11 in Geneva last season.