February 14, 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart College first-year Jonathan Swift (Andover, Mass.) netted a short-handed goal and tallied an empty net score in the third period to lead the Statesmen to a 3-1 victory over Neumann College in ECAC West hockey action this evening. Coming off an upset victory over No. 7 Manhattanville last night, Hobart upped its home unbeaten streak to nine games.

Sophomore Joe Viscuse (West Palm Beach, Fla.) put the Knights (3-19-1, 0-8-0 ECAC West) ahead 1-0 with 4:05 left in the first period, knocking home a rebound off a Justin Riccardi (Hamilton, Ontario) shot. Less than three minutes later Hobart junior Stephen Mitacek (Wantagh, N.Y.) tied the game up, firing a slapshot from just inside the blue line past the Neumann goalie for his second power-play goal of the year.

After a lackluster first session, the Statesmen came out of intermission ready to take control of the game. Hobart was able to control the puck for much of the period, getting 27 shots on goal, but Neumann goalie Mark Wilkins (Langhorne, Pa.) was up to the task, keeping the game even at one after two periods.

On the penalty kill eight minutes into the third period, first-year Mike Polsonetti (Lynn, Mass.) intercepted a Knight pass at center ice and found a wide-open Swift who converted the one-on-one for his first career short handed goal. The rookie winger would later ice the victory with an empty net score with 23 seconds left, his sixth goal of the season.

The Statesmen outshot the Knights 49-20 and were 1-for-5 on the power play, while Neumann was 0-for-3 on its extra man opportunities.

Junior goaltender Adam Lavelle (Chelmsford, Mass.) continued his outstanding play, stopping 19 shots, while Wilkins grabbed 46 saves for Neumann.

Hobart will close out the regular season on Feb. 21, hosting conference rival and 10th-ranked RIT at 4 p.m., at the Geneva Recreation Complex.