October 31, 2006

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College soccer team is once again ranked eighth in the country according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The Statesmen moved up one spot without playing a game last week. The NSCAA rankings are voted on weekly by coaches across the nation.

Hobart enters the postseason with a 12-2-2 overall record and is seeded second in the Liberty League Tournament. The Statesmen posted an unbeaten league record (5-0-2) after allowing just three goals in league play.

Sophomore forward Dan Riso (Red Hook Central/Red Hook, N.Y.) has led the Hobart offense this season, tallying six goals and three assists for 15 points. Classmate Philipp Schoeniger (Erlangen/Erlangen, Germany) has been a key offensive player with four goals and one assist, while senior Tucker Crockett (Episcopal Academy/Rosemont, Pa.) (3 goals, 1 assist), sophomore Matt Schwartz (Lower Merion/Wynnewood, Pa.) (3 goals, 1 assist), and junior Tyler Webster (Acton-Boxboro/Acton, Mass.) (2 goals, 3 assists) have also contributed.

Defensively, sophomore goalie Pete Van Dellon (Webster Thomas/Webster, N.Y.) has anchored a solid defense, along with senior Jamie Smith (Cheshire/Cheshire, Conn.), first-year Matt Geswell (Carmel/Patterson, N.Y.), and Schwartz. Van Dellon (7-0-2) is ranked second in the country in save percentage (.939) and sixth in goals against average (0.32).

The Statesmen share the top spot in the Northeast Region this week with Plattsburg, while Messiah (Pa.), Trinity (Texas), and York (Pa.) hold the top three spots in the nation.

Hobart will be in action on Nov. 3 when they travel to Hamilton for the semifinal round of the Liberty League Tournament. The No. 2 Statesmen will meet No. 3 St. Lawrence at 1:30 p.m., while No. 1 Hamilton will play No. 4 Skidmore at 11 a.m. The winners will advance to the championship game on Nov. 4 at noon.