Nov. 2, 2007
BOX SCORE
Aston, Pa. - Neumann College fell to the Statesmen of Hobart College, 4-3, Friday night. Hobart scored two unassisted goals in the third period to edge out Neumann in its first conference game of the season in Geneva, NY. Neumann's Kyle Casey scored two goals for the Knights while Mark Van Vliet had a goal and an assist in the loss. With loss Neumann drops to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference while Hobart improves to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the ECAC West.
Hobart opened the scoring with a power-play goal 2:25 into the first period after Brock Van Slyke was called for hooking and Tyler Rivers was called for high-sticking creating a 6-on-4 advantage for the Statesmen.
Neumann answered six minutes later after Hobart was called for hooking, giving the Knights a 6-on-5 advantage. Mike Gooch passed the puck to Mike Hedden who sent it to Casey, who fired a shot past Keith Longo to make it 1-1, 8:38 into the first period.
Sean Cryer entered the penalty box at 10:05 giving Hobart another man-up opportunity which they took full advantage of. Twelve seconds after the call, Hobart's Shawn Houde scored off a pass from Jason Merritt to take the lead going into the first intermission.
Neumann came out strong after the break, scoring the only two goals in the second period. Casey scored his second of the night off a pass from VanVliet and Hedden at the 7:57 mark and Van Vliet put the Knights on top, 3-2, after getting some assistance from Mike Gooch and Cryer at 18:22. Both goals were scored on the power play, the first on a 6-on-5 and the second on a 6-on-4 advantage for the Knights.
Neumann held on to its 3-2 lead for most of the third period but the tide seemed to turn at the 15 minute mark when Hobart's Nick DeCroo scored an unassisted power-play goal at 15:35 and repeated his efforts, scoring the game winner, at 17:15.
Neumann put on a shooting gallery in the final minutes of play and pulled goaltender Mike Collichio for the final 42 of 45 seconds but couldn't get the tying goal. The Knights outshot Hobart, 10-7, in the third period and 39-25 in the game.
Neumann will return to action Saturday, November 3 against Elmira College in Elmira NY. Face off is set for 7:00 p.m.
