Sprong put the Crimson up 5-3 after getting free on the side of the goal and dumping the ball in the net.

He was assisted by freshman Colin Leary. The novice midfielder got considerable time in the game, pestering the Statesmen behind the goal while setting up his teammates at the front of the cage.

The euphoria was shortlived, however, as the fourth period was controlled by the Statesmen.

Although the Crimson entered the last period with the momentum on its side, Hobart's defense--the anchor of the team--was impermeable in much of the final frame. With the Crimson offense bottled up the Statesmen were able to focus on offense and pulled ahead with two early goals to raise the score to 6-5.

Sprong added a sixth goal towards the end of the period, his third of the day, off another assist from Watson. With the score tied at 6-6 late in the game it appeared that the next goal would be the winner.

Feeding off of its defense, the Statesmen got the last goal with a little more than four minutes left and put the game out of reach. Although they tried to equalize, the Crimson offense was ineffective in the closing minutes, and the game ended with a Statesmen celebration.

Though the loss was the Crimson's second of the season, it differs from the embarrassment in Fairfield two weeks earlier. The close defeat was marked by a number of positive performances and promising signs for the coming weeks.

Junior netminder Keith Cynar faced thirty shots and made 16 saves, many at point blank range.