Box Score
BUFFALO, NY – Junior Sean Purtill’s 7 goals led five Hilbert players in the scoring column as the Hawks captured their first North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) victory over Cobleskill March 30 at Nichols School (Buffalo). Hilbert scored early and often during the first three quarters en route to a 14-9 win.
Sophomore Brendan Kane netted three times while junior Doug Takac hit twice pushing their point totals for the season to 14 and 15, respectively. William Wagner earned his fourth victory making 8 saves between the pipes.
Dan Scott led the Fighting Tigers with 5 goals and Rob Neubert added 3 scores and 2 assists for the 2-2, 0-1 NEAC visitors.
Hilbert’s Shaughn Irving broke the ice before Purtill hit three times in the first quarter to give the Hawks a 4-2 early lead. Purtill certainly had a hot stick as he netted the Hilbert’s first three second quarter goals before Kane tossed one past Eric Randazzo, Cobleskill’s keeper. Purtill closed the first half with another tallied at 1:26 to give Hilbert a 9-3 hold by half time.
Takac and Kane shared scoring duties the final 30 minutes and Greg Zitnik closed out the scoring after he picked up a rebounded-post shot and shoved it in the frame.
Hilbert held the advantage in shots (39-23), ground balls (45-41) and committed eight fewer turnovers. Nick Kieffer won 15 of his 21 face-offs with many of his 11 ground balls coming after the F-O win. Kyle Mackowiak protected frame on defense and earned 5 ground balls for Hilbert.
The Hawks (4-2, 1-0) travel to NEAC foe Keuka College April 3 for a 7pm face-off.