GENEVA, N.Y. – Colgate scored four goals in the first eight minutes here Tuesday but couldn't maintain that early pace in a 9-8 overtime loss to Hobart.

Taylor Vanderbeek tallied the game-winner for the Statesmen off a terrific assist by Alex Love with 1:48 left in the extra period. Hobart with the win snapped a nine-game overtime losing streak dating to 2004.

“For whatever reason, we couldn't maintain that intensity over the course of 60 minutes, and I've got to do a better job coaching them,” Raiders head coach Mike Murphy said. “But give credit to Hobart. They made one more play than we did to get the win.”

Colgate's Ryan Walsh scored a first-half hat trick to spark the Raiders to a 5-3 lead at intermission. And Peter Baum scored his second goal of the game with 8:39 left in regulation to hand Colgate an 8-7 lead.

But Cam Stone's score with 2:17 to play forced the extra session, and then Love drew the defense toward him in overtime and found Vanderbeek all alone in front of the goal for the winner. Love also scored a hat trick to keep Hobart close.

“They kept going to their playmakers, and their playmakers made some plays,” Murphy said. “Cam Stone and Alex Love played very well for those guys.”

Another Goalkeeping Performance
Also sparking the Statesmen was goalkeeper Peter Zonino. The junior allowed Colgate only four goals over the final 55 minutes of play after that initial four-goal flurry, and finished with 13 saves. Includes was a stop on Baum to end Colgate's initial overtime possession.

“Peter Zonino played excellent; you've got to give him a lot of credit,” Murphy said. “We had a great look at the cage in the overtime, but Zonino made a good save.

“We did a good job of battling. I guess we came up one play short.”

Colgate led 2-0 on goals by Baum and Walsh. Baum wrapped around the net and bounced it past Zonino just 34 seconds into the contest, and then Walsh scored less than a minute later when his close-range shot found its way into the net.

The teams then traded goals all the way into the fourth period. For Colgate, Derek Katchis scored his first of the season on a Matt Clarkson assist, and then Walsh closed the period by scoring off a pass from Brendon McCann to make it 4-2 Raiders after one.

More than 15 minutes on the clock passed before Hobart scored again to close within 4-3, but Walsh answered for his hat trick with 4:09 left for a 5-3 advantage at the break.

In the third quarter, Matt Baker scored from a Clarkson assist and then Clarkson did the honors himself with 2:12 left to hand the Raiders their fifth two-goal lead at 7-5. The Statesmen finally tied it at 7-7 on Love's third with 10:47 remaining in the game.

Baum's goal off a flying start from midfield pushed Colgate back into the lead at 8-7 nearing the midway point of the final period, before Stone and Vanderbeek combined for the late Hobart heroics.

First Crack in Overtime
In overtime, Robert Grabher won his 12th faceoff out of 21 for the day to hand Colgate the initial possession. Baum had an excellent look at goal but Zonino came up with the stop. Walsh nearly grabbed the rebound in front for the Raiders but couldn't control the ground ball.

After a timeout, Stone was wide on a shot attempt but Hobart maintained possession. Love then circled from behind left of the goal and drew multiple Colgate defenders before finding Vanderbeek unguarded just to the right of Colgate goalie Conor Murphy.

Vanderbeek's shot was true and the Statesmen had their only lead of the afternoon -- exactly when it counted.

“I'm proud of my guys, but we've got to get better,” Murphy said. “We've got to get better in practice, we've got to shoot better and just continue to get better.

“We'll get back to the drawing board Wednesday with the coaching staff and we'll get into this film and try to make some changes and get to be a better team.”

Hobart outshot Colgate 44-36, while the Raiders had a 34-28 edge in ground balls. Colgate was 1-of-1 in extra-man opportunities to Hobart's 0-of-2. Saves and turnovers were 13-apiece.

Hobart improved to 2-2 for this season and snapped a two-game losing streak to the Raiders. Colgate, 3-2, dropped its second game in a row to end a season-opening stretch of five straight games away from home. The Raiders open their home and Patriot League season Saturday against Holy Cross. Start time from Andy Kerr Stadium is 2 p.m.

“The most important part of our season is upon us – the Patriot League season,” Murphy said. “We've got to get ready for a good Holy Cross team. We'll take a day off Wednesday, let this one sink in a little bit and get ready for a good day on Saturday.”