Hobart hockey continued its dominant season, defeating St. Norbert 2-1 on Saturday night in an NCAA quarterfinal to advance to the national semifinals for the fourth straight year.
Ithaca soccer standout picks Marist The top-ranked Statesmen improved to 29-0-0, extending their overall win streak to 35 games and unbeaten streak to an NCAA-record 42. Hobart also set a collegiate record with its 69th consecutive home victory.
Tanner Daniels led the way with a goal and an assist, while Conor Lally added the other goal. Goaltender Damon Beaver made 22 saves, including several key stops late, to secure his program-record 19th win of the season.
After a scoreless first period, Hobart broke through early in the second when Daniels capitalized on a breakaway less than two minutes in. Lally doubled the lead midway through the period, finishing a sequence from the point to make it 2-0.
St. Norbert pushed back in the third period, cutting the deficit to 2-1 with just over four minutes remaining. The Green Knights pulled their goalie late and gained a two-man advantage after a penalty, but Beaver and the Hobart defense held firm. Beaver made multiple saves in the final minute, and the Statesmen blocked key shots to preserve the lead.
Groton runner heading to Geneseo Hobart outshot St. Norbert 30-23 and killed all three penalties, including the crucial late sequence.
With the victory, Hobart secured its seventh trip to the national semifinals. The Statesmen will face Wisconsin-Stout on Friday, March 27 in Utica, New York, with a chance to continue their championship run.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.