The sound of sticks clashing and bodies colliding echoed through the Poole Family Dome as two lacrosse programs battled for every inch of turf. For parents in the stands, watching their sons pour everything into a game that would be decided by the slimmest of margins, moments like these remind us why college sports matter so much.
Sometimes the scoreboard doesn’t tell the whole story. Sometimes a loss can reveal more about a team’s character than an easy win ever could.
That’s exactly what happened when Hobart lacrosse faced Colgate in what can only be described as a goaltending clinic wrapped inside a defensive masterpiece. The final score read 7-6 in favor of the Raiders, but the numbers barely scratch the surface of this instant classic.
When Defense Takes Center Stage
The Hobart lacrosse team knew they were in for a battle the moment they stepped onto the field. What they probably didn’t expect was a game that would showcase everything beautiful about defensive lacrosse – the saves, the clears, the ground balls that turn into gold.
Colgate’s Andrew Lehrman put on an absolute show between the pipes, making a career-high 21 saves that left Hobart players shaking their heads in disbelief. “Lehrman was seeing the ball like it was a beach ball out there,” said one observer courtside. “Every shot seemed to find his stick or his body.”
But Hobart’s Michael Johnson wasn’t exactly slouching either. His 14 saves kept the Statesmen in striking distance throughout the contest, marking his second consecutive game with double-digit stops. The goaltending duel became the story within the story, two netminders refusing to blink first.
Both teams fired 42 shots – a perfect mirror that showed just how evenly matched these squads were from an offensive perspective. Yet it was the little things that separated winner from loser.
The Numbers That Mattered Most
Sometimes lacrosse comes down to the details that casual fans might miss. The ground balls, the clearing attempts, the faceoff wins – these are the building blocks that either construct victory or crumble into defeat.
| Category | Hobart | Colgate |
|---|---|---|
| Total Shots | 42 | 42 |
| Saves | 14 (Johnson) | 21 (Lehrman) |
| Ground Balls | 26 | 33 |
| Fourth Quarter Ground Balls | 6 | 14 |
| Clearing Percentage | 19-26 (73.1%) | 23-33 (69.7%) |
| Man-Up Conversions | 2-4 | 0-5 |
The ground ball battle told the tale of two different approaches. Colgate’s 33-26 advantage became even more pronounced when you look at the fourth quarter specifically – a crushing 14-6 edge that gave the Raiders the extra possessions they needed to close out the win.
“Ground balls are effort plays, and in a game this tight, every extra possession becomes precious,” noted a longtime lacrosse analyst. “Colgate wanted it more in those crucial final minutes.”
The faceoff battle saw Hobart’s Seamus Schofield win 9 of his 15 attempts, a solid 60% clip that kept the Statesmen competitive in the possession game. But when combined with Colgate’s ground ball dominance, those faceoff wins weren’t quite enough to swing momentum.
Key Performances That Shaped the Game
While the goalies grabbed headlines, several players stepped up to make this game memorable. For Hobart lacrosse, Cade Dino led the offensive charge with a goal and an assist, showing the kind of two-way impact that coaches dream about.
- Cade Dino: 1 goal, 1 assist – Scored the crucial tying goal with 5:12 remaining
- Daniel Cano: First-half goal that kept Hobart in striking distance
- Alex Begina: Clutch extra-man goal in the third quarter
- David Peterkin: 2 assists, orchestrating the Hobart offense
- Gordon Bennett: 2 assists, proving depth in the midfield
The game’s turning point came with 3:33 remaining when Colgate capitalized on a Hobart turnover to score what would become the game-winner. “That’s lacrosse in a nutshell,” reflected one veteran coach. “One mistake, one moment of brilliance, and the whole game changes.”
Special teams became a fascinating subplot. Hobart converted twice on four man-advantage opportunities, showing efficiency when given the extra space. Meanwhile, Colgate went scoreless on five man-up chances, a statistic that would normally doom a team but was offset by their superior even-strength play.
What This Loss Means for Hobart’s Season
Losing is never easy, especially when you’re that close to pulling out a signature victory. But for Hobart lacrosse, this game revealed plenty of reasons for optimism moving forward.
The Statesmen showed they can hang with quality opponents in defensive battles. They converted on the power play when it mattered. Their goaltending appears to be in excellent hands with Johnson’s back-to-back double-digit save performances.
“Sometimes you learn more about your team in a close loss than you do in a blowout win,” said one former college lacrosse coach. “Hobart showed they have the pieces to compete with anyone.”
The ground ball disparity, particularly in the fourth quarter, represents the most obvious area for improvement. Championship teams find ways to win those 50-50 battles when the game is on the line. That’s a fixable problem with the right emphasis in practice.
For fans following Hobart lacrosse this season, this game should be viewed as a building block rather than a setback. The offensive pieces are clearly in place with players like Dino, Peterkin, and Bennett creating scoring opportunities. The defense and goaltending can clearly hold their own against top competition.
The margin between victory and defeat at this level often comes down to tiny details – an extra ground ball here, a better clear there, one fewer turnover at a crucial moment. Hobart showed they’re capable of playing that kind of high-level lacrosse.
FAQs
What was the final score of the Hobart lacrosse vs. Colgate game?
Colgate defeated Hobart 7-6 in a defensive battle at the Poole Family Dome.
Who was the standout player in the game?
Colgate goaltender Andrew Lehrman made a career-high 21 saves to earn the victory for the Raiders.
How did Hobart perform on special teams?
Hobart lacrosse converted 2 of 4 man-up opportunities while holding Colgate scoreless on all 5 of their extra-man chances.
What was the key statistic that decided the game?
Colgate won the ground ball battle 33-26, including a crucial 14-6 advantage in the fourth quarter that provided extra possessions.
Who led the scoring for Hobart lacrosse?
Cade Dino paced the Hobart offense with one goal and one assist, including the tying goal with 5:12 remaining.
How many saves did Hobart’s goaltender make?
Michael Johnson made 14 saves for Hobart, his second consecutive game with double-digit stops.
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