BOX SCORE

SCHENECTADY, NY - The Union College men's soccer team fell 1-0 to Hobart on Saturday after playing 90 minutes in frigid winds.  The game-winner came from senior Lukas Petersen at the 70 minute mark.  The Dutchmen are now 11-3-1 on the season and 2-3-1 in conference play, while the Statesmen move to 14-2 with a 5-2 mark in the Liberty League.

Petersen's goal, his fourth of the season, originated from a corner kick taken by Hobart's Kaeghan Kelly, who took a total of seven for the Statesmen.  There was an immediate pile up in front of senior goalkeeper Adam Margulies, and Petersen jumped over the crowd to head the ball into the top left corner of the net.  Margulies was excellent in the defeat, making five saves throughout the afternoon.

The match was heated and physical from the start, with each squad's defense stepping up to protect their zone.  The majority of play took place at center field, and an evenly paced tempo was set. 

Freshman Benjamin Golub and senior Tom Albano created a competitive atmosphere, refusing to budge as Hobart's offense moved down the field in the first half.  Golub made a sliding tackle to regain possession for the Dutchmen while Albano never let up on pressure.  Junior Sebastiaan Jansen aided Margulies in front of the net when he headed away a corner kick by Kelly at the 20 minute mark. 

Hobart had one of the best chances in the first half when senior Tony Yeboah dribbled in past Union's defense to get a shot off.  However, Yeboah's kick from inside the 18 yard line lost some of its muster due to a deflection off of Dutchmen Alex Pack.  Margulies easily scooped up the ball for the save.

Union quickly responded with their best chance of the half when the opportunity arose for senior Chris Choquette to take a corner kick.  The ball found its way to senior Craig Santangelo, who fired a shot directly into Hobart goalkeeper Charlie Hale. As the senior Statesmen fell to the ground, he lost control of the ball and it slowly made its way towards the goal line.  Hale responded swiftly and stuck his hand out to make one of his four saves.

The first half ended after an outstanding performance by some of Union's grittiest players.  Junior Sahr Nyuma maintained great intensity and constantly blocked shots midfield to hold off the Statesmen.  Sophomore Nick Vozzella, despite being knocked down repeatedly, was an offensive force as he dribbled past Hobart's defense in the waning minutes of the half.  Choquette, senior Kevin Giron and senior Kevan Benn also stood out defensively, endlessly sacrificing their bodies throughout the game to gain an edge over the competition. 

The second half action did not let up, with an immediate attack emerging from Hobart's offense.  Yeboah drove down the field but was eluded by Nyuma with a tackle directly in front of Margulies.  The Statemen's point leader Tommy Hayes quickly delivered another shot, but it was blocked and driven up the field by senior Marc Zeyak. 

The battle continued midfield, with a back and forth struggle between Santangelo and Hobart defenseman Andrew Steates.  Giron and Albano remained persistent in their defense, making tackle after tackle and dangling in front of Hobart's offense.  However, junior Caetano Sanchez challenged them, dribbling past the center line to create an opportunity for the Statesmen.  Junior Alex Kittelberger drove the ball deeper into Union's zone and took a shot.  Vozzella stepped up to make the block, but the ball went out of bounds to force Kelly's assisting corner kick.  With Petersen's header, Hobart was up 1-0 with 20 minutes remaining in the game.

Union had several great chances in the closing minutes of the match, including a play by sophomore Jake Soodek and Santangelo.  Soodek took a free kick at the eight minute mark, and the ball found its way directly in front of Hale.  Santangelo attempted to get an angle on it, but the ball narrowly rolled past the left corner of the net out of bounds.   The Dutchmen's final opportunity came with less than a minute left in the game.  With a throw-in coming from Pack, Benn was able to get an edge over Hobart's defense and kicked the ball out of midair.  However, the shot was deflected.  Jansen took the final shot as time ran out, but Hale was there to make the save.

After a fierce and evenly matched game, Hobart was able to hold on to the lead for their 14th win.  It was Union's first loss at College Park all season.  The two teams each ended the match with 11 shots.

The Dutchmen are back in action at College Park on Wednesday, October 26th, when they take on Vassar at 7:00 p.m.