NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—The Hobart College lacrosse team will make its final road trip of the regular season for a Northeast Conference clash at Merrimack College. The opening faceoff is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at Duane Stadium.
 
Consistent with the Merrimack's vaccination requirement, all spectators must verify they are fully vaccinated in order to gain access to campus and attend athletic events. Merrimack defines fully vaccinated as completing the full course of a vaccine – one dose of Johnson & Johnson, two doses of Moderna or Pfizer or WHO-approved international vaccines – and completing the necessary postvaccination waiting period. Spectator access will be through the main campus entrance on Elm Street. Click here to read Merrimacks's full COVID-19 policy.
 
The game will be broadcast live by WHWS-FM (105.7) and webcast on NEC Front Row. Live stats will be available on merrimackathletics.com.
 
This will be the Statesmen's first trip to Merrimack. The teams met for the first time last season, with Hobart prevailing 14-10 on Boswell Field in Geneva, New York. Attackman Derrek Madonna led the Statesmen with a career-high five goals and an assist for a career-high matching six points. Faceoff specialist Adam Shea also had a strong day, winning 10-of-15 at the X while grabbing a game-high eight ground balls.
 
Hobart (3-5, 1-3) aims to build on a 12-3 win over Wagner last Saturday. The three goals are tied for the third fewest allowed by the Statesmen in the program's Division I era and the fewest allowed since Hobart beat No. 20 Bucknell 7-2 in 2009.
 
Attackman Ryan Archer leads Hobart in goals (18), assists (24) and points (42) this season. He paces the conference in both assists per game (3.0) and points per game (5.25). Attackman Tommy Mott is second on the team with 11 assists and 25 points. Midfielder John Herlihy is second in goals with 16.
 
Shea has won 52.1% of his faceoffs through eight games. He leads the team in ground balls (57) and ranks second in the NEC in ground balls per game (7.12).
 
Defensively, the Statesmen recorded a season-high 13 caused turnovers against Wagner, tied for second on Hobart's single game list. Defenseman Maxwell Horton led the charge with a career-high four caused turnovers as well as a career-high four ground balls. Goalie Kevin Holtby has started all eight games. He's made 78 saves for a .484 save percentage and an 11.62 GAA.
 
Merrimack (5-4, 2-2) has won two in a row, topping Mount St. Mary's 14-9 and Sacred Heart 11-8. Attackman Jack Rooney leads the Warriors in goals (20), assists (15) and points (35). Faceoff specialist Allyn French has won 52.6% at the X and leads the team with 30 ground balls. Goalie Henry Vogt has started all nine games. He ranks second in the NEC with a .574 save percentage and third with a 10.31 GAA.