Hobart lacrosse delivered a strong start to the season, defeating Canisius 13-8 on Saturday afternoon at the Poole Family Dome to give head coach Stephen Brundage a victory in his debut.
The Statesmen set the tone early, scoring six goals in the opening quarter to build a 6-1 lead and never relinquish control. Hobart capitalized on efficient offense, converting six of its first nine shots, while a relentless ride disrupted Canisius’ transition game. The Golden Griffins were limited to 52 percent clearing for the contest and did not score consecutive goals until the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Daniel Cano led Hobart with four points, recording a first-quarter hat trick and an assist. Senior Connor DiTomasso added four points on two goals and two assists, while several players contributed throughout a balanced offensive effort. Senior Seamus Schofield won 10 of 15 faceoffs and collected a game-high seven ground balls.
First-year goaltender Michael Johnson earned the win in his collegiate debut, making 14 saves, including key stops in each quarter to maintain Hobart’s advantage. First-year defenseman Colman Craft also delivered a standout performance, forcing five turnovers, the most by a Hobart first-year defender in program history and tied for the second-highest single-game total in team history.
Hobart extended its lead to 13-5 after three quarters before Canisius scored three late goals in the final period. The early cushion proved decisive as the Statesmen controlled possession and tempo throughout the afternoon.
Hobart returns to action Saturday, February 14, traveling to Colgate to begin a three-game road trip.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].