September 30, 2002

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.--Junior linebacker David Szentesy (Lackawanna/Lackawanna, N.Y.) and senior defensive end Chris Hanly (Swampscott/Swampscott, Mass.) combined for 27 tackles and one sack, helping visiting Hobart to a 14-6 victory over Union.

After fumbling on their first possession, Hobart (2-0, 1-0 UCAA) held Union (2-1, 1-1 UCAA) in check, forcing the Dutchmen to turn the ball over on downs after just four plays. The Statesmen took over possession and on the second play of the drive, junior
quarterback Craig Swanson (Jamestown/Jamestown, N.Y.) connected with sophomore wide receiver Dan Suozzi (New Hampton/New Canaan, Conn.) for a 38 yard touchdown pass. The drive covered 42 yards, and put Hobart on top 7-0.

Suozzi continued to electrify throughout the game, making seven catches for 101 yards. His punting also helped pin the Union offense inside their own 20-yard line four times.

Union had the chance to even things up early in the second quarter, but a Chris Nappi touchdown, was called back due to a holding penalty, and Union would eventually turn the ball over on an interception. First-year David Marshall (Blair/Pompton Plains, N.J.) picked off the pass, the first of two for him on the day.

The teams entered the locker rooms at halftime with Hobart leading 7-0. Hobart's next scoring chance came midway through the third quarter, after an 11-play, 55-yard drive got the Statesmen down to the Union 22. However, sophomore Eric Ampuja (Brockton/Brockton, Mass.) had a 40-yard field goal sail wide right, and the score remained 7-0 Hobart.

Midway through the fourth quarter, after a marvelous punt by Suozzi, the Dutchmen started a drive from their own 2-yard line. On second down, senior George Bebee coughed up the ball and Hanly pounced on it for Hobart at the Dutchmen 6-yard line.

Three plays later Swanson called his own number, and punched it in on a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line to make it 14-0 Hobart.

Union stormed right back downfield with an eight-play, 75-yard drive which took only 2:07 off the clock. Bill Fitzgerald connected with senior Ryan Gallo for a 32-yard touchdown pass. The kick attempt failed, and the Statesmen were on top 14-6.

With the momentum shifting toward the home sideline, and on Hobart's next possession it swung even more. The Statesmen fumbled on their own 47-yard line and Union recovered, looking to tie the score late in the 4th. But the Statesmen defense held strong like they had all day, preventing Union from gaining any yards on the Dutchmen's next possession, and Hobart took over on downs.

On Union's final drive, Fitzgerald fired a desperation pass toward the end zone that fell incomplete as time expired. A pass interference penalty gave the Dutchmen one last shot from the Hobart 17 with no time remaining. Senior Tim Booth (Waterloo/Waterloo, N.Y.) tipped Union's do-over pass at the line and Hanly made the interception, sealing Hobart's third win at Frank Baily Field in as many tries.

Hobart returns to action on Oct. 5, at Boswell Field. The St.
Lawrence Saints will visit Geneva for a 1:30 p.m., kickoff.