SMITHFIELD, R.I.—Hobart College sophomore goalie Kevin Holtby made a career-high 23 saves to lead the Statesmen to an 11-10 Northeast Conference men's lacrosse win over Bryant University today. Hobart improved to 3-1 overall and 3-1 in the NEC, while the Bulldogs saw their four-game winning streak end, slipping to 5-2, 3-1.
 
Holtby stood tall in the fourth quarter, making 10 saves, including two in the final minute as Hobart killed off a pair of penalties to preserve the one-goal lead. His 23 stops are the most by a Statesman since Max Silberlicht '10 recorded 23 saves against Syracuse on March 23, 2010.
 
Senior attackman Tommy Mott, who had four career points in two games against Bryant coming into the day, produced a game-high four points on three goals and an assist. Senior attackman Ryan Archer and junior midfielder Bradley Simas each chipped in two goals. Sophomore midfielder Adam Shea scooped up a team-high six ground balls.
 
Bryant, which was No. 19 in this week's US Lacrosse Top 20 and receiving votes in both the coaches and media polls, got a hat trick from Trevor Weingarten. First-year attackman Logan McGovern also had a three-point day with two goals and an assist. Nathan Laliberte gave Bryant a 15-9 faceoff advantage and collected a game-high 11 ground balls. Sophomore Luke Carracciolo made 14 saves.
 
After playing the first quarter to a 3-3 draw, the Bulldogs outscored the Statesmen 4-1 in the second frame for a 7-4 halftime lead. Bryant scored man up to take the lead and doubled its advantage three minutes later. Sophomore attackman Troy Barthelme netted his first goal of the year to slow the Bulldogs' momentum, but Weingarten netted back-to-back goals to give the home team a three-goal advantage at the break.
 
Hobart charged out of halftime, scoring three straight goals to tie the game just five minutes into the third quarter. Archer started the run followed by a Mott goal set up by senior long-stick midfielder Dan Ryan. The Statesmen tied the game with a relentless ride that resulted in a failure to advance call against the Bulldogs. Ryan scooped up the ball at midfield and threw a quick, over-the-top pass to Knox, who prevailed in a one-on-one with Carracciolo.
 
Senior defenseman Zach Coffey scored his only goal of the game to put Bryant back in front for the final time. Archer tied the game at 8 and, just six seconds later, sophomore midfielder Bobby Baltzer scored to reclaim the lead. McGovern capped the third quarter scoring to tie the game for the fifth and final time.
 
Just over two minutes into the fourth quarter, Mott completed his hat trick. It's the 27th consecutive game that at least one Statesmen has scored three or more goals. With just under five minutes to go, Simas gave Hobart much needed breathing room with his eight goal of the season, matching Archer for the team lead. Less than a minute later, Bryant scored to set the stage for a tense finish.
 
Hobart's defense, emboldened by Holtby's stellar play was up to the task, but the Statesmen didn't make protecting the one-goal lead easy on themselves. The Statesmen took four penalties down the stretch, but killed off all four.
 
On the day, Hobart was called for 10 penalties for six minutes, but only gave up two extra-man goals on the day. The Statesmen were 0-for-6 with the man advantage.
 
Hobart will return to Urick Stadium to host NEC front-runner Saint Joseph's (4-3, 4-0) on Saturday, April 10. The opening faceoff on Boswell Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.