On Oct. 20, 2012, the Statesmen Athletic Association honored the 1992 Hobart soccer team by naming it a Team of Distinction.
The 1992 soccer team finished the regular season with a perfect 15-0-0 record. The Statesmen were the first team in Hobart soccer history to have an undefeated season (15-0-1) and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Saunders' led the 1992 squad, posting a program record 18 goals that season. He also ranked second on the Statesmen season list with 41 points. Statesmen goalie, Dave Lowe's seven shutouts that year ranked second at the time and are now tied for fifth on Hobart's all-time season list.
Hobart earned eight shutouts on its way to a perfect regular season. The Statesmen outscored their opposition 43-13 over the course of the year. They started that fall with a 4-1 win over Geneseo and then notched back-to-back shutouts of Oswego and Rochester. Hobart edged Clarkson 4-3 and followed with convincing wins over St. Lawrence (2-0), Nazareth (6-1), and RIT (5-2) to round out September.
The Statesmen edged Hamilton 1-0 in overtime and downed Roberts Wesleyan 5-1. Hobart battled to 3-2 triumphs over Ithaca and LeMoyne, shutting out St. John Fisher 1-0 in between. The Statesmen closed out the regular season with three straight 1-0 victories over then No. 17 Albany, Alfred and Rensselaer.
Hobart finished the year ranked first in the nation and atop the Empire Athletic Association standings, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Statesmen faced RIT in their first round match and finished the game tied 1-1, however, RIT advanced on penalty kicks.
Hobart raked in the awards, placing seven on the all-conference teams. Jeff Saunders, one of the 1992 team captains, was named the Empire Athletic Association's Player of the Year and earned a spot on the first-team. Chris Teerlinck, also a team captain, and David Lowe were also selected to the all-conference first team. Jesse McCullough, Jaime Shoup, Paul Rogen and Andy Crocker garnered spots on the second team. Saunders and Teerlinck were also named NSCAA All-Americans. Saunders earned first team honors, while Teerlinck was selected to the second team. Head Coach Willie Steinrotter was named the national coach of the year.
Jeff Saunders (Class of 2002) represents the 1992 Statesmen soccer team in the Hobart Hall of Fame. He will be joined by Chris Teerlinck who will be inducted in November as a member of the Class of 2012.
