Schenectady, NY- Senior Tripp Pietrak (Amherst, NY) netted three goals as he led the 21^st-ranked Union College men's soccer team to a 4-0 victory over #5 Hobart at College Park Field.  The win improved the Dutchmen's record to 6-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the Liberty League.  The loss dropped the Statesmen to 5-1-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the Liberty League.

 

Pietrak opened the scoring for the Dutchmen in the 14^th minute. After a pass from fellow senior Chris Poey (Amherst, MA), Pietrak dribbled around a defender and fired a left footed shot that Hobart goalkeeper Pete Van Dellon (Webster, NY) got a hand on, but could not reject.

 

Hobart threatened in the 20^th minute when a corner kick by Tyler Webster (Acton, MA) set up a great chance for the Statesmen, but a header sailed high and over the net.

 

Union's second goal of the game came in the 23^rd minute when Poey handled the ball around a defender and passed it to Matt Wentworth (North Andover, MA), who found Pietrak, who then buried it into the net for his second goal of the game.

 

Pietrak capped off his hat trick in the 31^st minute of the game.  Sophomore Ryan Banagan (Albany, NY) dribbled the ball past midfield and found a streaking Pietrak down the right sideline.  Pietrak beat the Hobart defender by himself and delivered a startling chip shot over the oncoming goaltender's head to give Union the 3-0 lead.

 

Union ended the first half and its scoring on a high note in the 41^st minute of the game.  Banagan received the ball off of a deflection in the offensive zone.  Banagan dribbled in towards the net and fired a shot past the Hobart goalkeeper to give Union the 4-0 halftime lead; a lead that Union never relinquished.

 

The second half was a back and forth battle as Hobart had two chances to push one through in the early portion of the half.  In the 51^st minute Webster's strike off of a direct kick was met by a one handed save by Union goalkeeper Rob Kramer (Westport, CT).  Then again in the 59^th minute, amid a mass scramble in front of the Union net Hobart had two chances that were both denied by Kramer. 

 

Hobart out shot Union 14-12, while both teams recorded eight shots on net.  Fouls were also identical as both Union and Hobart recorded 18 team fouls apiece

 

Kramer had seven saves for Union and recorded his 3^rd shutout of the young season.  Von Dellon had four saves for Hobart.

 

The Dutchmen return to action on Saturday at 2 pm against Hamilton.  The Statesmen also return to action Saturday at 2 pm against Skidmore.