Daryl Veltman recorded eight points in a 22-5 win over Canisius. (Photo by Ken DeBolt)

BUFFALO, N.Y.—The Hobart lacrosse team exploded for nine goals in the first quarter and cruised past Canisius College at the Demske Sports Complex this evening. Twelve different Statesmen scored goals led by the eight-point effort of sophomore attackman Daryl Veltman (Salisbury/Georgetown, Ontario).

Hobart (5-6) completely dominated the non-conference showdown, outshooting their hosts 53-23, collecting more ground balls (61-23), and winning 80 percent of the faceoffs (24-of-30). Faceoff specialist John Soden (Delbarton/Chester, N.J.) was 15-3 on the day, while Dan Spinella (New Hartford/New Hartford, N.Y.) was 8-2. The Statesmen scored on 4-of-6 man-up opportunities, while blanking the Griffins on both of their tries.

Sophomore midfielder Nick Currie (Corning East/Corning, N.Y.) got the ball rolling, scoring on the very first shot of the game with just 32 seconds run off the clock. Veltman followed suit with back-to-back scores 41 seconds apart and junior midfielder Chris David (Georgetown Prep/Silver Springs, Md.) made it 4-0 less than five minutes in.

Canisius broke out of its early funk with a pair of goals to stem the tide, but Hobart continued to flood the cage, striking five more times before the end of the first quarter. By the end of the first frame, Veltman already boasted four goals and two assists.

The Golden Griffins netted the first score of the second quarter, but responded with four straight to take an 11-3 lead into the break.

After the intermission, the teams traded goals to start for third quarter then the Conklin brothers took over. Senior attackman Mike Conklin (West Genesee/Syracuse, N.Y.) recorded consecutive goals 12 seconds apart to give the Statesmen a 12-3 advantage. Senior midfielder Mark Conklin broke through for his first goal of the season at the 7:10 mark, followed by another goal by Mike. Mike finished the evening with a career-high five goals, while Mark added a goal and an assist.

Hobart closed out the contest with all four goals of the fourth quarter, including the first goals of the season for junior attackman Justin Porter (Salisbury/Geneva, N.Y.), first-year attackman Sam Orr (Avon Old Farms/Simsbury, Conn.), and first-year attackman Jared Franklin (Owings Mills/Owings Mills, Md.).

In goal, senior Mike DeSantis (Mountain Lakes/Mountain Lakes, N.J.), first-year Brad Hester (Woodbridge/Woodbridge, Va.), junior Brandon Baer (Locust Valley/Bayville, N.Y.), and first-year Peter Hansen (Woodberry Forest School/Middleburg, Va.) combined for seven saves for the Statesmen. On the other side of the ledger, Canisius used three goalies who combined for 12 stops.

Hobart is back in action on April 22, when the Statesmen host St. John’s. Faceoff at Boswell Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.

NOTES: Hobart’s 22 goals are the most since 1999, when the Statesmen defeated Canisius 24-3 in Geneva … Veltman’s eight points (5-3) are the most by a Hobart player since April 9, 2005, when Veltman scored eight (4-4) against Penn State … The five goals by both Mike Conklin and Veltman are the most by a Statesman since March 27, 2004, when Mark Williamson ’04 scored five against Lafayette … Mike Conklin’s three extra-man goals are the most for a Hobart player since Nathan Roost ’98 scored four against Army on March 15, 1997 … Hobart’s four man-up goals are the most in a game since scoring five at Ohio State on March 12, 2005.