March 14, 2006

BINGHAMTON, N.Y.—The Hobart lacrosse team lost its first game of the season tonight, falling to Binghamton University 7-5. The loss drops the Statesmen to 3-1 on the year, while the Bearcats improve to 3-1.

Red-shirt first-year David O’Quinn (Robinson/Burke, Va.) posted a game-high three points (1-2) for Hobart, while sophomore Nick Currie (Corning East/Corning, N.Y.) added a pair of goals. Matt McNamara was one of three Binghamton players with two points on a team-high two goals.

Hobart outshot Binghamton 30-25, held a 38-21 advantage on ground balls, and won 11 of the 15 faceoffs. Senior long-stick midfielder Andrew Narog (Lawrence/North Wales, Pa.) collected a game-high eight ground balls, while sophomore Dan Spinella (New Hartford/New Hartford, N.Y.) controlled nine of the 10 restarts he took.

The Bearcats notched the lone goal of the first quarter, but O’Quinn pulled the Statesmen even, burying a rocket from 15 yards out less than two minutes into the second frame. Binghamton took a 2-1 lead into the locker room at halftime on a goal by Chris Mulheron (1-1) at the 11:24 mark.

In the third quarter, the defenses loosened up a bit as the two teams combined for six goals. Sophomore Daryl Veltman (Salisbury School/Georgetown, Ontario) extended his collegiate scoring streak to 17 straight games. First-year Brandon Buchmayr (Darien/Darien, Conn.) fired a shot right into the net of goalie Kevin McKeown (13 saves), but Veltman batted the rebound home as he ran across the front of the crease.

Less than a minute later, Currie scored the first of his two goals, lacing a frozen rope into the upper right corner of the cage to give Hobart its first lead, 3-2. The Bearcats tied the score less than 60 seconds after that, but Currie put the Statesmen back in front on a nearly identical goal at the 3:57 mark. Both of Currie’s goals were set up by O’Quinn.

Binghamton closed out the third quarter with back-to-back goals, including one on the man-up, to carry a 5-4 lead into the final stanza. The Bearcats struggled to solve Hobart’s man-down defense, converting just one of six extra-man opportunities, but the possession time kept the Statesmen out of the attack zone.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, first-year Jeff Ryan (West Genesee/Syracuse, N.Y.) forged the fifth and final tie of the game on his third goal of the season.

McNamara’s second goal of the contest just over a minute later, proved to be the game-winner. Binghamton added an insurance goal with 3:35 remaining to secure its first win over the Statesmen.

Senior Mike DeSantis (Mountain Lakes/Mountain Lakes, N.J.) made nine saves in goal for the Statesmen.

Hobart is back in action on March 18, when the Statesmen visit Georgetown University. Faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The WEOS broadcast of the game will be tape delayed and air immediately after Hobart’s NCAA hockey semifinal.