The Hobart College lacrosse team celebrated Senior Day on Boswell Field at Urick University with a 14-12 win over Sacred Heart University today. The Statesmen capped the season with a 6-2 NEC record, securing the No. 2 seed in the NEC Tournament.
Hobart never trailed the Pioneers on the way to their third straight win. Senior Ryan Archer led the offense with a game-high seven points on four goals and three assists. Junior Derrrek Madonna added five points on two goals and three assists and senior Tommy Mott posted two goals and two assists.
The Statesmen controlled the faceoff X, winning 23-of-30 on the day. Senior Drew Blanchard was 16-of-21 with a game-high 10 ground balls and Sophomore Adam Shea was 7-of-9 with three ground balls.
On the defensive end, senior defenseman Sam Mueller grabbed seven ground balls and recorded two caused turnovers. Sophomore goalie Kevin Holtby made eight saves, collected five ground balls and caused two turnovers.
Hobart matched its season-highs with 14 goals, 10 assists, and 10 caused turnovers. The Statesmen established a new season-high with 46 ground balls and 23 faceoff wins. Hobart’s extra-man unit finished the day 3-for-5, while the man-down unit limited Sacred Heart to 1-for-4.
The Statesmen opened the day’s scoring with a man-up goal by sophomore Troy Barthelme with Archer earning the assist. The Pioneers pulled even with under four minutes left in the opening quarter. Hobart carried a 3-1 lead into the second quarter thanks to strikes by Madonna and Archer in the final three minutes.
Sacred Heart scored back-to-back goals to start the second quarter, tying the game for the final time. Hobart ripped off three goals in under three minutes to reclaim the lead for good. Sophomore Jack Grooms started the run with an impressive individual effort in front of the cage. He somehow spun out of a triple team, threw a shot fake at the goalie, and scored with a backhanded shot. SHU stopped the run with about four minutes left in the half, but Blanchard won the ensuing faceoff and scored his second goal of the season and Mott added another in the final minute for an 8-4 halftime lead.
MEDIA:
Thank you, Seniors (and Jack)‼️ pic.twitter.com/aoO8MezsDp
— Hobart Lacrosse (@HobartLacrosse) May 1, 2021
Spin out of a triple team & score. Just another day at the Boz for @HobartLacrosse's Jack Grooms!#GoStatesmen | #NECmlax #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/SKulmXawYK
— HWS Athletics (@HWSAthletics) May 1, 2021
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].