Marc Albu '08 scored three goals and Christian Kunhardt '10 made eight saves to help lead Hamilton College to an 11-4 non-league win against visiting Utica College at Campus Road Athletic Field on March 12.
Frasher Kempe '08 and Stephen Lefebvre '11 added two goals apiece. Kevin Coughlin '09 chipped in one goal and one assist. Both Coughlin and Kempe picked up four ground balls. Albu won 3 of 4 faceoffs and Billy Haas '10 won five for Hamilton (1-0 overall).
Franke Holiber '10, Justin Williams '10 and Max Akuamoah-Boateng '09 scored one goal each for the Continentals. Williams is the team's top returning goal-scorer with 17 last year. John-Henry Forster '08 and Austin Deyo '09 were credited with one assist apiece. Both Forster and Ned Gilliss '08 scooped up three ground balls. Gilliss was an all-Liberty League Second Team selection on defense in 2007.
Holiber gave Hamilton an early 1-0 lead with an unassisted goal just 1:33 into the contest. Utica (0-4) tied the score with 7:39 left in the first quarter. Goals by Albu and Coughlin in the final 2 minutes, 49 seconds of the quarter put the Continentals in front, 3-1.
The Pioneers cut their deficit in half 30 seconds into the second quarter. However, Hamilton ran off the next seven goals to clinch the victory. The Continentals led 6-2 at the half and 10-2 after three quarters.
Hamilton held a 34-23 advantage in shots and the Pioneers owned a slim 10-8 edge in faceoffs. Both teams struggled to clear the ball as the Continentals were 9-for-19 and Utica was 13-for-26. Hamilton has won seven straight games against the Pioneers and now leads the all-time series with eight wins and one loss.
The Continentals take on Williams College in the first of three games in Florida on Tuesday, March 18. The non-league game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. in Sanford.
