BUFFALO, N.Y. – Hilbert's Andrew Tirabassi and Patrick Crangle netted two goals each in the Hawks' 10-7 defeat to SUNY Poly (4-7) in a road-home opener this afternoon.   

Both teams moved to 2-1 in NEAC standings in the league game played at Dobson Field on the D'Youville College campus.

Statistically, it was a closer game than a three goal separation.  The Wildcats strung together a 4-1 third quarter rally to pull away for the victory on a cold day in Buffalo.

Hilbert held a 49-36 ground ball and a three shot differential advantage.  SUNY Poly was more accurate with their shots on goal, gaining a 20-16 lead.   Both teams were tagged with 19 turnovers and were three clears away from being perfect today.

Hilbert's Brenden Deady earned another double-digit save day, stopping 10 shots on goal while the Wildcats RJ Ferrucci made nine saves.

SUNY Poly jumped ahead 2-0 before Brady Metcalf scored his third goal of the season midway through the first quarter of play.

The visitors scored their third goal at 12:16in the second,  but just 13-seconds later, Tirabassi scored his first goal  to cut the score to 3-2.  SUNY Poly tallied three straight scored and then Patrick Crangle gave the Hawks a big lift with two man-up goals before intermission setting a 6-4 margin.

Nathaniel Hyman ripped an unassisted marker less than three minutes into the third session (6-5) but the Wildcats opened up the game with four straight scores to build a 10-5 lead with 15 minutes left.

Matthew Simon scored his 16th goal of the season to start the final period and Tirabassi scored the last goal of the day with just over five minutes remaining.

James Duffy was credited with a pair of assists and Tirabassi added one helper.

Hyman led all players with nine ground balls and Aaron Valino scooped-up five for Hilbert.

Metcalf went 5-for-7 and Justin DeLaRosa went 6-for-10 in the face-off circle leading Hilbert to an 11-17 win rate.

The Hawks (3-4) will return to the lower west-side of Buffalo for their non-conference game April 12 against Alfred State at 7 pm at Dobson Field.