January 29 , 2005

GENEVA, N.Y.—Neumann College first-year goaltender Mike Collichio (Rochester, N.Y.) made 52 saves to lead the Knights to a 2-0 upset victory over 11th-ranked Hobart College in hockey action this evening at The Cooler. The win is the first for Neumann over the Statesmen.

“It was obvious that [Neumann’s] goaltender had a huge factor in the game, but I thought [Neumann] did a great job of sticking to a game plan, keeping us off the board and capitalizing on the opportunities they had,” Head Coach Mark Taylor said. “That’s the way it goes and my hat is off to them.”

Hobart (11-3-4, 2-2-2 ECAC West) came out firing in the first period, getting 23 shots on goal and completely dominating play. The Statesmen racked up nine shots before the Knights were able to break through with their first shot of the game. Collichio, however, was up to the task, making save after save in the opening 20 minutes.

Neumann (3-13-1, 1-5-0 ECAC West) came out of the first intermission and was able to put more pressure on the Hobart defense, doubling its shot total to 10 for the game. No shot was more important than first-year forward Dayne Bihn’s (Toledo, Ohio) at the 12:10 mark, as he knocked in a rebound for what proved to be the game-winner. Frank Pew (Westville, N.J.) and Neil Trimm (Westmeath, Ontario) assisted on the tally.

The Statesmen had 13 shots in the second stanza, but were unable to find the back of the net and headed into the locker room trailing by one.

Less than three minutes into the third period, Hobart junior Will Brame (West Hartford, Conn.) nearly evened the score, but Collichio slid across the crease just in time to make the save.

Three minutes later, Collichio was at it again, gloving sophomore Adam Scott’s (Manchester, Mass.) slap shot to the right corner. The Statesmen continued to press forward, but could not light the lamp.

The Knights iced the victory with 1:45 remaining on a power-play goal by first-year Jeff Nuttal (Campbell River, British Columbia). Pew and Mike Fiume (King City, Ontario) provided the assists.

Hobart held a 52-19 shot advantage for the game and finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Neumann was 1-for-5 on the power play.

In goal, first-year Dimitri Papaevagelou (Windham, N.H.) made 17 stops for the Statesmen, while Collichio earned his first career shutout with 52 saves.

The Statesmen return to action on Feb. 4, traveling to ECAC West opponent Lebanon Valley for a 7 p.m., game.