September 26, 2005

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart soccer team improved two spots to No. 14 in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, and remained the second-ranked team in the Northeast region. The NSCAA rankings are voted on weekly by coaches across the country.

In its first two league games of the season, Hobart defeated Vassar 2-1 and Rensselaer 3-1, to improve its overall record to 7-1-0 and take a 2-0-0 Liberty League stance. Sophomore Philipp Schoeniger (Erlangen/Erlangen, Germany) led the Statesmen offense with two unassisted goals last week. He was named Liberty League Co-Offensive Performer of the Week for his efforts. In addition, first-year Sam Wisner (Wayland/Wayland, Mass.) was named Liberty League Co-Rookie of the Week after netting his second career goal in the match against Vassar. Sophomore forwards Dan Riso (Red Hook Central/Red Hook, N.Y.) and Matt Schwartz (Lower Merion/Wynnewood, Pa.) also added goals to help Hobart past RPI.

Defensively, sophomore goalkeeper Pete Van Dellon (Webster Thomas/Webster, N.Y.) continues to be solid in net for the Statesmen. Last week, he registered six saves to pick up his third and fourth wins of the season. Van Dellon currently owns a 4-0-0 record and is ranked second in the league in goals against average (0.50), and fourth in shutouts (2).

Trinity (Texas), Messiah (Pa.), and Ohio Wesleyan continue to be the top three programs in the nation, while Ithaca holds the top spot in the Northeast.

The Statesmen will be in action tonight, Sept. 26, at St. John Fisher College for a non-league game at 7 p.m.