Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Athletics Round-Up

Hobart Soccer (14-5-2, 6-2-1)
The Hobart soccer team captured its third Liberty League title with a 2-1 win over Clarkson and earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, making their eighth appearance. The Statesmen defense finished tied for first in the Liberty League in goals against average (0.772) and second in the league and 25th in the country in shutout percentage (.524).

Brian Salazar '20 led the league with a .864 save percentage, was second in goals against average (0.728) and posted seven shutouts for the Statesmen. Defender Charlie Widing '22 was named to the 2019 Academic All-America® third team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Football (9-2, 4-2)
The Hobart football team began its season with a 33-7 win over nationally ranked Brockport. The Statesmen posted a 4-2 record in league play, tying for second in the standings. They wrapped up their season with a 30-10 win over Cortland to capture the New York State Bowl title. The Statesmen ranked sixth in the nation in turnovers gained with 17 interceptions (15th) and 13 fumbles recovered (11th). The Hobart defense was among the best in the nation in the red zone, as opponents scored on just 57.5 percent of their trips inside the 20 (17th).

Emmett Forde '21 was named a first team All-American by the AFCA and D3football.com and was a second team pick by the Associated Press. He was also voted the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year.

HWS Sailing
Chase Carraway '22 finished fourth in a field of 18 sailors at the 2019 LaserPerformance Men's Singlehanded Championships. It was Hobart's best finish since Robert Crane '09 was third in 2008. The Colleges finished the season strong with a third place showing in the MAISA Fall Women's Championship and a fourth place finish at the War Memorial, the MAISA Coed Dinghy Championship. The Statesmen and Herons were perfect on Seneca Lake this fall, winning the David Lee Arnoff Trophy and the Luce Trophy.

Hobart Hockey (18-4-3, 12-4-2)
Hobart hockey heads into the NEHC Tournament fresh off a six-game winning streak and ranked fifth in the nation in the USCHO poll. The Statesmen capped the regular season with a 4-1 win at No. 6 Babson. Hobart, which went 9-1-2 at home in the regular season, will host Skidmore in the NEHC quarterfinals.

William Smith Hockey (16-7-0, 12-2-0)
The William Smith hockey team is riding a nine-game winning streak into the final weekend of the regular season. The signature win of the streak was a 4-3 overtime triumph over No. 4 Elmira. Gina Scibetta '20 leads the Herons in goals (15), assists (22) and points (37). The 2019 All- American has broken the program's career records for goals (51), assists (60) and points (111) this season, shattering the marks established by Krista Federow '18.

Hobart Basketball (18-3, 12-2)
Stefan Thompson '13 has the Statesmen playing fierce defense in his memorable first season as head coach. With two games remaining in the regular season, they lead the nation in field goal percentage defense (36.1%) while ranking in the top 10 in rebounding margin (2nd, 13.0), 3-point percentage defense (2nd, 26.7%), scoring defense (5th, 61.1 ppg), and defensive rebounds (9th, 31.57/g).

Tucker Lescoe '20 broke the program's career record for 3-pointers made, sinking his 245th in a win at RIT to surpass the standard set by Michael Gambino 02.

William Smith Basketball (13-10, 9-7)
Entering the final weekend of the regular season, the Herons have clinched a spot in the Liberty League Tournament and could earn a home game in the opening round with a pair of wins to close out the year and some help from the teams in the North Country. The team features four players averaging 11 or more points per game, led by Olivia Parisi '22's 15.2 points. The sophomore also paces the Herons' efforts on the glass, averaging 8.6 rebounds. Stella Davis '22 adds 11.8 points per game and sits seventh on the team's season list for 3-pointers made with 56.

William Smith Squash (15-3)
The Herons won four straight matches entering the Liberty League Championship and then swept St. Lawrence 6-3, Vassar 9-0 and Bard 9-0 to collect the program's third conference title. Gabby Fraser '20 was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. She leads the team with 14 wins this season. Marcela Marquez Martinez '23 joined the team for the start of the second semester and is unbeaten in 10 matches in the top two spots in the order.

And More
The Hobart rowing team's varsity eight finished third in a 38-crew field in the men's collegiate eight event at the 55th Head of the Charles Regatta. | The William Smith rowing team captured two bronze medals at the Head of the Genesee | Field hockey had three players named all-league: Midfielder Kelsey Pierce '20 and forward Mackenzie Wodka '23 were named to the second team and Lauren Jackson '23 earned honorable mention | Hobart tennis' Alan Dubrovsky '20 and Walker Anderson '21 advanced to the doubles finals at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships, qualifying for the ITA Cup | Leland Barclay '20 of the William Smith tennis team advanced to the B Flight finals match at the Mary Hosking Invitational | Josh Wasserman '20 led Hobart cross country this season, finishing fifth at the ECAC Championship | The William Smith cross country team recorded one first-place finish and three second-place finishes this season | Will Harrison '21 leads the Hobart golf team with a 79.8 scoring average and shot his lowest round of 75 at the Utica Invitational | Emma Nedeau '22 carded William Smith golf's lowest round (83) at the St. Lawrence Invitational | The William Smith swimming and diving team is 5-0 this season and placed third at the Don Richards Invitational | The Heron squash team is 6-2 and ranked No. 25 in the nation | Hobart squash has posted a 1-6 record and is ranked No. 38.

Staff Accolades

Hobart College Assistant Football Coach Cait Finn was one of only 40 women selected to attend the 2020 NFL Women's Careers in Football Forum in Indianapolis in February. The forum, which takes place alongside the NFL Combine, serves to support the development of a talent pipeline by connecting qualified women to career opportunities in football.

Hobart College Football Defensive Coordinator Aaron Backhaus '00 was recently named the Ability Partners Foundation Volunteer of the Year at the 17th annual Winter Gala and Auction in the Finger Lakes. Backhaus coordinates team visits to Happiness House in Geneva and organizes the annual Tackles and Touchdowns fundraiser.