Hobart soccer continued its perfect start to the season Saturday afternoon, scoring early and making a one-goal lead hold up in a 1-0 victory over Rochester on Cozzens Field.
The Statesmen improved to 5-0-0, matching their best start since 2011, when Hobart also opened a season with five consecutive victories.
Junior Brady Leitner provided the only goal of the afternoon, scoring on Hobart’s first shot of the match. Griffin Coutts delivered a free kick into the box, where senior Noah Fischer redirected it toward goal with a header. Leitner crashed toward the right post and headed the ball across the goal line to put Hobart in front.
Coutts’ assist also extended his point streak to five matches. He leads the Statesmen with seven assists this season.
Hobart had several opportunities to add to its advantage but could not find another goal. Danny Spataro forced Rochester goalkeeper Aidan Hartman into a diving save in the 15th minute, while Fischer narrowly missed the right post later in the first half.
Rochester nearly answered in the 20th minute when Will Fallona beat Hobart goalkeeper Jake Hans but saw his shot strike the left post. The Yellowjackets continued to apply pressure throughout the match, including a late opportunity in the final minute when Sebastian Ballesteros’ shot from the edge of the penalty area sailed just over the crossbar following a corner kick.
Hans played all 90 minutes and made two saves to record his fifth shutout of the season. Hartman finished with three saves for Rochester.
The Yellowjackets held a 12-10 advantage in shots on goal and earned four corner kicks compared with two for Hobart.
Hobart begins a three-game road trip Tuesday, September 15, when it visits Brockport for a non-conference match at 4 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.