Men's Soccer Edged by Hobart, 2-1, at NCAA Regional
SJC Eliminated from Tournament, Finish 13-9
11/14/2009
SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Sophomore Tony Yeboah scored in the 34th minute and freshman Alex Kittelberger scored in the 47th minute as Hobart held off a late St. Joseph’s College-Long Island (13-9) rally, hanging on for a 2-1 victory in an exciting and fast-paced first round NCAA Division III men’s soccer game on Saturday evening from Clothier Field Stadium on the campus of Swarthmore College.
With the win, the Statesmen (15-3-2) advance to the second round of the NCAA Division III men’s soccer championships to face the winner of the Swarthmore/Merchant Marine first-round match.
St. Joseph’s goalkeeper Michael Dougherty had an outstanding game in net for the Eagles – making 17 saves – but it wasn’t enough against a powerful Hobart offense that recorded 43 shots and 20 shots on goal.
The Statesmen controlled possession and tempo for much of the first half – recording 15 shots – but thanks in part to five offside calls, the Statesmen found themselves in a 0-0 fight until late in the first half. In the 34th minute, the Statesmen offense finally broke through, as Yeboah rocketed a shot from the top of the box into the upper-right corner – with an assist from teammate Tommy Hayes - giving the Statesmen a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, the Hobart wasted no time finding the back of the net, scoring just two minutes into the second half. After the ball pinballed in front of the St. Joseph’s net, Hobart’s Littleberger gained possession and scored his sixth goal of the season, giving the Statesmen a 2-0 advantage.
Despite the 2-0 deficit, the Eagles did not back down, as the offense finally came to life with several scoring opportunities early in the second half.
In the 54th minute, the Eagles’ Stephan Zaech dribbled around Hobart goalkeeper Charlie Hale and had an open shot at the goal, but Statesmen defender made a sliding save against an open goal, thwarting the Eagles’ scoring chance.
But in the 71st minute, Zaech would get another opportunity – and this time he would convert. Off a Hobart goal kick, Zaech beat the defense and blasted a ball past the Hobart goalkeeper for his 15th goal of the season, to cut the Hobart lead to 2-1.
But that was as close as the Eagles would get, as the Statesmen held on for the 2-1.
In goal for the Statesmen, Charlie Hale made three saves.
Hobart finished with a 43-11 edge in shots and 21-3 advantage in shots on goal.
(Game Recap by Swarthmore Sports Information)
