GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart lacrosse team pitched a second half shutout and rallied from a four-goal halftime deficit to force overtime, but visiting Robert Morris escaped with a nail-biting 8-7 win at Urick Stadium today. Joel McCormick scored the game winner off an assist from Graeme MacLennan 1:47 into OT.
 
In a game that featured 40 combined turnovers and 14 penalties, goals were hard to come by.
 
Senior Cade Dino scored two unassisted goals to lead the Statesmen. Senior David Peterkin contributed a goal and an assist. Junior Nickolas Sotiropoulos recorded a game-high three caused turnovers for Hobart, while graduate student Julian Race, junior Tyler Cavo and first-year Colman Craft each notched two caused turnovers. In goal, first-year Michael Johnson made nine saves.
 
For RMU, four Colonials finished two points apiece. Dylan Anderson and Ben Eck both scored twice. McCormick had a goal and an assist and MacLennan handed out two helpers. Cristian Davis was 11-of-16 at the faceoff X. He grabbed six ground balls, sharing game-high honors with Gavin Pedone. Goalie Nate Fechter made 14 saves, including six in the first quarter, to earn the win.         
 
GAME RECAP
First Quarter: Robert Morris 3, Hobart 2

• The Colonials struck first with Ben Eck's goal, set up by Luke Prezioso. 
• Hobart senior Alex Begina responded, leveling the score with help from sophomore Daniel Cano.
• A man-up goal by Robert Morris' Nolan Barker was matched by sophomore Bryce Johnson's man-up goal for Hobart, assisted by Peterkin keeping the game tied.
• Anderson closed the quarter for the Colonials, edging them ahead 3-2.

 
Second Quarter: Robert Morris 7, Hobart 3

• RMU extended its lead on three goals in under three minutes to start the second quarter, pushing the Colonials' lead to 6-2.
• Junior Colden Swisher netted his first goal of the season midway through the frame to make it 6-3, but Luis Gonzalez restored a the Colonials' four-goal lead heading into halftime.

 
Third Quarter: Robert Morris 7, Hobart 5

• Dino provided all of the third quarter scoring.
• Just over two minutes into the half, Hobart nearly turned the ball over in the offensive end when a Colonial batted down a pass, but the ball pinballed around in front of the RMU cage where Dino was able to scoop it up and score from 5 yards out.
• Then with just over two minutes left in the third, Gordon Bennett fired a shot on frame that Fechter saved, but the rebound went right to Dino who dumped it home for his fourth goal of the year.

 
Fourth Quarter: Hobart 7, Robert Morris 7

• It remained a two-goal game late into regulation.
• The Statesmen got their sixth goal of the day when first-year d-middie Brandon Penn scored his first collegiate goal, assisted by senior Max Snellenburg, with 2:29 left in the fourth quarter.
• Peterkin's fifth goal of the season, with just 31.8 seconds left in regulation, tied the game and forced ovetime.

 
Overtime 

• Davis secured the opening faceoff, giving RMU the first possession.
• Sotiropoulos used a timely trail check to get Hobart the ball, but the Statesmen couldn't connect on a long outlet pass and the Colonials (4-3) were able to regain possession.
• MacLennan set up the game winner with a 15-yard pass from the right to the left side where McCormick caught and stepped into a 10-yard shot that hit the net just inside the far post.

 
GAME NOTES

• Dino, Race and Craft led Hobart with three ground balls apiece.
• In addition to scoring his first goal, Penn also picked up a season-high two ground balls.

 
UP NEXT
The Statesmen (1-4) return to action Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m., when they visit UAlbany (1-3).