October 16 , 2004

KINGS POINT, N.Y.-The Hobart football team won its fourth consecutive game today by defeating the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 35-6. With the win, the Statesmen improved to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in the Liberty League.

Senior wide out Dan Suozzi (New Hampton/New Canaan, Conn.) started the scoring in the first quarter by recovering his own fumble in the end zone after catching a pass from sophomore quarterback Shawn Mizro (Newark/Newark, N.Y.). Six minutes later the Statesmen scored again when Mizro connected with junior wide receiver Colby Feane (Weedsport/Weedsport, N.Y) for a 15-yard touchdown.

Thirty one seconds into the second quarter, senior running back Ty Godinho (Lancaster/Lancaster, N.Y.) scored on a 2-yard rush to give the Statesman a 21-point lead.

Senior kicker Eric Ampuja (Brockton/Brockton, Mass.) then recovered his own onside kick, to get Hobart the ball back. Five plays later, Mizro hit Suozzi for another 15-yard touchdown pass to give Hobart a 28-0 lead heading into halftime. Suozzi’s second receiving touchdown was his 10th of the season which broke the Hobart single season record previously held by Scott Geise ’83 (9 in 1982)

The Statesmen defense had an impressive first half, holding Kings Point scoreless while junior defensive back Jamie Anderson (Canandaigua/Canandaigua, N.Y.) and sophomore linebacker Tyler Mason (Stillwater/Stillwater, N.Y.) each had interceptions in the first quarter.

The Mariners scored six minutes into the second half on a Jason Hardwick rush from 3 yards away to cut into the Statesman lead. The Hobart defense held the Liberty League’s leading rusher to just 88 yards, 11 yards below his season average.

In the fourth quarter, Godinho (25 carries, 141 yards) scored his second touchdown of the game to cap off a 79-yard drive with 8:44 remaining.

Senior defensive end Chris Purtell (Pioneer/Sardinia, N.Y.) lead the Statesmen defense with 12 solo tackles including a sack. Sophomore linebacker Nolan Robinson (Johnson City/Johnson City, N.Y.) and junior linebacker Jimmy Gradis (Elwood John Glenn/Greenlawn, N.Y.) each had 10 tackles to hold Kings Point to just 240 yards of total offense.

The Statesmen look to extend their winning streak on Oct. 23, at St. Lawrence.