Hobart College goalie Kevin Holtby earned a pair of awards for his stellar play at then No. 19 Bryant on Saturday. The sophomore was named the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week and earned a spot on the USILA National Team of the Week. This is the second time this season he has been the NEC Defensive Player of the Week.
Holtby made a career-high 23 saves to lead the Statesmen to an 11-10 victory over the Bulldogs. He recorded 13 saves through the first three quarters and raised his game with the pressure on in the fourth quarter, turning away 10 of the 11 shots Bryant put on goal. Holtby made two saves in the final minute as Hobart killed off a pair of penalties.
It’s the most saves in a game by a Statesman since Max Silberlicht ’10 made 23 stops against Syracuse on March 23, 2010. In Hobart’s Division I era, only four times has a Hobart goalie produced more than 23 saves in a game.
Holtby has started all four games for Hobart this season, producing a 3-1 record with a .604 save percentage and a 10.50 goals against average. He’s second in the nation in saves per game (16.0) and seventh in save percentage.
Hobart (3-1, 3-1) is currently tied for third with Bryant in the NEC standings. The Statesmen are a game behind the conference leader, Saint Joseph’s (4-3, 4-0). Hobart will host the Hawks at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. The game will be webcast on HWS All-Access and broadcast by WEOS-FM (89.5/90.3).
The Statesmen and Hawks have squared off 10 times with each side winning five times. Half of the 10 showdowns have been decided by just a single goal, including each of the past three.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].