December 10 , 2005

Cibelli turned in a two-point performance to lift Hobart to a 4-2 in over Amherst this afternoon. (photo by Kevin Colton)

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College sophomore forward Brian Cibelli (Liverpool, N.Y.) netted a goal and an assist as the eighth-ranked Statesmen scored four unanswered goals to down Amherst 4-2 in non-conference action this afternoon at the Geneva Recreation Complex. Hobart has won eight consecutive games, the longest streak in the program's 28 varsity seasons.

Senior forward Ed Poirier (Methuen, Mass.) also registered two points on a pair of assists.

The Lord Jeffs (3-3-1) struck 15 seconds into the opening period as senior forward A.J. Greco (Williamsville, N.Y.) lifted a rebound over the left shoulder of Hobart sophomore netminder Dimitri Papaevagelou (Windham, N.H.).

The Statesmen (9-2-0) answered at the 6:49 mark of the first period as junior forward Michael Polsonetti (Lynn, Mass.) ripped a shot from the left circle past Amherst junior goaltender Josh Fillman (Charlestown, Mass.).

Hobart continued to apply the offensive pressure as sophomore forward Shawn Houde (Manchester, N.H.) and Cibelli added goals at the 14:59 and 19:23 marks, respectively. Cibelli’s power-play goal chased Fillman, who stopped nine shots.

Senior forward Colby McVey (Chicago, Ill.) ripped a shot through traffic just 34 seconds into the second stanza to greet goaltender Dan Smith (Rochester, Minn.), and complete the Statesmen four-goal run.

With 40 seconds remaining in the final period, first-year forward Will Collins (Edina, Minn.) registered a power-play goal to round out the scoring.

Hobart dominated the final two periods, outshooting the Jeffs 18-8 in the second and 15-10 in the third.

The Statesmen continued to be stingy on the power-play kill, stopping seven of eight Amherst opportunities.

Between the pipes, Papaevagelou turned in a solid performance as he made 28 saves to record his second win of the season, while Smith stopped 32 Hobart offerings in 40 minutes of relief action.

Hobart returns to action at 7 p.m., when the Statesmen travel to No. 4 SUNY Oswego (12-3-0) on Jan. 7.