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31 March 2025 • Athletics National Champions! Fontana's OT Winner Gives Hobart its 3rd Straight Title By Mackenzie Larsen '12

The Statesmen become the first team nationally in nearly 20 years to finish as three-time consecutive champions.  

Junior forward Kahlil Fontana scored with 1:36 remaining in the first overtime to give the top-ranked Hobart hockey team its third consecutive national championship, defeating sixth-ranked Utica 2-1. For his heroics, Fontana was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
 
First-year forward Easton Ryan scored the game-tying goal. Junior goaltender Damon Beaver made a season-high 39 saves to earn his Hobart record 53rd career win. Ryan and Beaver were joined on the NCAA All-Tournament Team by senior forward Matthew Iasenza and sophomore defenseman Calum Chau.
 
Eric Vitale had the goal for the Pioneers, who finished their year with a 24-5-2 overall record. Ryan Piros played every minute in goal for Utica and made 44 saves. Vitale and Piros represented Utica on the all-tournament team.

FOR THE RECORD

  • The Statesmen finish the season with a 29-1-1 overall record. The 29 wins match Hobart's record for wins in a season.
  • Today's game was just the third time this season that Hobart had trailed entering the third period. The Statesmen won all three games.
  • Hobart is the first team to win three straight national titles since Middlebury did it from 2004-06. Middlebury also won five straight titles from 1995-99. Wisconsin-Stevens Point is the only other program to win three consecutive titles in Division III history. They did it from 1989-91.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

  • Hobart finished the game with a 46-40 edge in shots on goal.
  • Both teams were 0-for-1 on the power play.

 
THE WINNER

  • Following a hard forecheck from junior Ignat Belov, Fontana broke up a clearing pass, deked around the goalie and slipped a shot into the back of the net. It was his 10th goal of the season.

MATCH MOMENTS

  • Hobart had its chances in the opening frame, but could not sneak a shot past Piros. In the opening minute, junior Tanner Daniels had two point-blank opportunities turned aside by the Utica goalie. Graduate student Austin Mourar also had a chance in the sequence.
  • Hobart continued to pile on the offensive zone time but could not solve Piros.
  • Late in the first period, sophomore Dominic Schimizzi had a chance from the slot smothered by the Utica goalie.
  • Utica had its chances in the opening frame but Beaver was up to the task stopping all 11 shots he faced.
  • The Pioneers opened the scoring in the second period on Vitale's 12th goal of the season. Vitale picked up a rebound and slipped a shot past Beaver. Andrew Della Rovere and Matt Wood were awarded assists on the goal.
  • Following the goal, Hobart switched momentum in its favor, but again was stymied by the play of Piros.
  • Duclair had one of the better chances with just under two minutes remaining in the frame. He broke in on the Utica goalie but snapped a shot just over the crossbar.
  • Hobart dominated the third period, outshooting Utica 14-8.
  • Beaver had perhaps his biggest save of the game just under three minutes into the second period. Matt Wood was standing all alone on the left goalpost, but Beaver quickly moved to his right and made a diving stop.
  • Beaver's stop appeared to flip momentum in Hobart's favor and the offensive zone pressure finally paid off as Ryan fired a shot through a screen, notching his fifth goal of the season. It was assisted by senior Luke Aquaro and sophomore Bauer Morrissey.
  • Both teams had 14 shots in the overtime.
  • Johnny Mulera nearly ended Hobart's title hopes four minutes into the extra session. His shot from the slot beat Beaver but dented the left goal post.
  • At the opposite end of the rink, Piros made an amazing save on both Fontana and Chau.
  • The teams continued to trade chances in the overtime but neither goalie flinched until Fontana beat Piros with just over a minute remaining in the frame.

 
SENIOR SALUTE
Hobart's senior class of Matthew Iasenza, Luke Aquaro, Cooper Swift, Matthew Perryman, Ethan Mulhearn, Shane Shell and graduate student Austin Mourar finish their careers with a 106-11-4 overall record. The 106 wins is the most by any graduating class in program history. They won three national championships, three NEHC Tournament Titles and four NEHC regular season titles. Aquaro finishes his career fourth on Hobart's career points list with 134. His 70 goals are tied for third and his 64 assists are sixth all-time.