Statesmen Punch their Ticket to NCAA Semifinals in OT Thriller
Posted: Mar 25, 2025

Statesmen Punch their Ticket to NCAA Semifinals in OT Thriller

Release and photo courtesyof Hobart College Athletics Communications

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart senior forward Luke Aquaro scored at the 9:15 mark of the first overtime to send the top-ranked Statesmen past seventh-ranked Trine 3-2. The victory secured Hobart a spot in the national semifinals for the third straight year.
 
For the second straight year, Hobart overcame a 2-0 deficit to force overtime and win a quarterfinal contest. Last year, the Statesmen rallied to beat Curry 4-3 in the second-longest NCAA Division III Men's Hockey game. This year, the Statesmen needed 70 fewer minutes to knock off the Thunder.
 
Hobart is making its sixth overall trip to the semifinals.  The two-time defending national champions also advanced to the final four in 2006, 2009, 2019 and 2023. Hobart will take on Geneseo on Friday, March 28, at 3 p.m. in Utica.  
 
Aquaro had two goals to lead the Statesmen. Sophomore Dominic Schimizzi scored the other goal for Hobart.  Junior Damon Beaver played all 69:15 in net and made 23 saves.
 
Logan Furstenau and Sam Antenucci scored for Trine. Ronnie Petrucci played every minute in goal and made 38 saves.
 
FOR THE RECORD

  • Hobart improves to 27-1-1 overall this season.
  • The Thunder conclude their season with a 21-7-2 mark.

 
STREAKING

  • The win extends Hobart's home winning streak to an NCAA Division III record 53 games.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

  • Hobart finished the contest with a 41-25 advantage in shots on goal.
  • The Statesmen were 1-for-5 on the power play and Trine was 1-for-2 with the man advantage.

 
THE WINNER

  • Aquaro intercepted a pass along the end boards, skated to the left faceoff circle and ripped a shot over Petrucci's right shoulder and into the upper left corner of the cage. It was his 16th goal of the season.

 

 
SCORING SUMMARY

  • Trine opened the scoring at the 3:44 mark of the second period. Furstenau fired a one-timer from the right faceoff circle past Beaver for his 12th goal of the season. His power-play goal was assisted by Josh Wright and Jack Cooper.
  • Seven minutes later, Antenucci broke in on Beaver and flipped a shot over the goalie's blocker for his 10th goal of the season. Drew Jeffers had an assist on the goal after breaking up a play in his defensive zone.
  • Aquaro started Hobart's comeback 27 seconds into the third period. Crashing the net, he redirected a Tanner Daniels cross attempt past Petrucci. Senior Cooper Swift also had an assist on the power-play goal. The tally snapped a six-game scoreless drought for Aquaro.
  • Two minutes later, Schmizzi redirected a shot from Conor Lally for his 10th goal of the season. Bauer Morrissey also had an assist on the tally.

 
CLIMBING THE LADDER

  • With two goals tonight, Aquaro became the fourth player in program history to record 70 career goals. He moved into a tie for third with Scott Liming '83.
  • Aquaor moved into sole possession of fourth place with 133 career points.
  • Today's win was Beaver's 51st career win. It matches Hobart's career wins record. Hobart Hall of Famer Keith Longo '09 also has 51 career wins.


POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE