GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart lacrosse team will kick off its 123rd varsity season with a four-game home stand beginning Saturday, Feb. 8, when the Statesmen welcome the Canisius Golden Griffins to campus. The opening faceoff is scheduled for noon in the Poole Family Dome.
 
Due to fire code restrictions, spectators will be limited to only those people listed on one of the team's pass lists. The game will be broadcast on WEOS-FM (89.5/90.3). Online coverage includes streaming video on HWS All-Access and Live Stats.
 
SCOUTING REPORT: Hobart

• The Statesmen aim to rebound from a 4-9 2024 season that included a pair of one-goal losses in Atlantic 10 play.
• The 2024 Statesmen ranked 10th in the nation in faceoff winning percentage (.575) and 15th in the country in man-down defense (.738).
• Hobart's top returning scorer is senior attackman Will Delano, who produced 15 goals and 13 assists last season, including a hat trick against Canisius.
• Junior David Peterkin gave the Statesmen 20 points out of the midfield a year ago.
• Sophomore Mike Valent, a 2024 A10 All-Rookie Team selection, is the top returning faceoff specialist. He won 57.8% of his restarts, collecting 40 ground balls as a first-year.
• Senior captain Nolan Firth anchors the defense after leading Hobart with 11 caused turnovers last season.
• In goal, sophomore Jackson Faiola, from nearby Canandaigua, earned the starting nod after a very competitive preseason.

 
SCOUTING REPORT: Canisius

• The Golden Griffins were 5-10 last season.
• In 2024, Canisius ranked in the top 40 in the nation in faceoff winning percentage (.507, 35th), ground balls per game (31.4, 36th) and saves per game (12.2, 36th).
• Senior midfielder Patrick Mitchell is the team's top returning scorer, after pacing the Griffs with 39 points on 22 goals and 17 assists.
• Junior faceoff specialist Micah Hanson, a 2025 preseason All-MAAC pick, won 51.3% of his faceoffs and grabbed a team-high 120 ground balls.
• Junior long-stick midfielder Alexis Simard recorded a team-high 18 caused turnovers.
• Senior goalie Tommy Kunz returns to the crease after starting all 15 games last year, making 182 saves.

 
FOR STARTERS

• All-time, Hobart is 69-48-4 in its first game of the season.
• The Statesmen are 6-5 in season openers under Head Coach Greg Raymond.
• Hobart has faced Canisius in its season opener four times, all since 2019, and won all four games.

 
SERIES SNAPSHOT

• Saturday's game will be the 25th meeting between Hobart and Canisius.
• The Statesmen have won 13 in a row against the Golden Griffins and lead the overall series 23-1.
• Most recently, Hobart earned a 13-9 win over Canisius on Feb. 20, 2024. Anthony Dattellas '24 led the Statesmen with six points on two goals and four assists. Goalies Elhanan Wilson and Jack Faiola each played a half in net, combining for seven saves. At the faceoff X, Hobart won 20-of-24, including a 9-of-11 effort by Mike Valent.