Photo Credit: Hofstra University
Chris Vale, Beat Writer Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse team the Pride had been unstoppable this season starting the year off 10-0 and second-ranked heading into last weekend’s game. They have turned out to be one of the best teams in college lacrosse this season, and with their record it looks like the Pride may get a bid to the NCAA tournament. Even if that doesn’t happen, they would still have a chance at the Colonial Athletic Association conference title. Unfortunately for Hofstra, last weekend’s contest was not what they had expected when Drexel hit town. Final Score: Drexel 13—Hofstra 12.
On Saturday night at home Hofstra (10-0, 2-0) would host their CAA rivals the Drexel Dragons (4-6, 1-1). The weather was amazing; fans were abundant; and everything started out strong with Josh Brynes scoring first giving Hofstra the early lead. They quickly jumped out 5-0 and looked like a powerhouse team. Freshman and coach’s son Ryan Tierney looked and played like a fifth year senior on the field with a quick stick; and great sticks skills, he had no problem putting the ball in the back of the net. Four of the five goals scored by Tierney came in the first half. Attackman Jimmy Yanes had a four-point game and at only 5’8” ran right by and threw the Drexel defenseman without a second thought. Hofstra would dominate the first half: Score—Hofstra 9 Drexel 2.
For Hofstra things looked like win number eleven on the year, but it quickly went south in the second half. Drexel fought hard climbing their way back into the game, scoring four in the third while holding Hofstra to two. You could see the excitement on the bench as they slowly chipped away at Hofstra’s lead. In the second half, Drexel Senior attacker Cole Shafer had three goals and one assist. Hofstra Junior Brendan Kavanagh would be the only Pride player to score in the third. Drexel was closing the gap, with the score 11-6 still in favor of Hofstra at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was all Drexel and they would score four unanswered goals to bring them within one. Reid Bowering was another freshman who played beyond his years scoring five goals and had the game winning assist to Jack O’Donnell. Tierney would score the only goal for Hofstra in the fourth putting them up by two, but for Drexel, they would notch another three unanswered goals in the last two minutes (1:48; 1:19 and 1:02) to give Hofstra their first loss of the season.
Penalties tor Hofstra were abundant; they were 0-0 on man up opportunities, which no doubt played a part in the loss against the Dragons. Drexel had no problem scoring on four of their six man ups which included the game winner.
Drexel’s net-minder 
Jimmy Joe Granito held Hofstra at bay in the second half with nine saves including back-to-back saves in the final minute of play to secure his team’s victory and handing Hofstra there first loss of the season. Final Score: Drexel 13—Hofstra 12.
Hofstra will be looking to get back on track on Saturday, April 22 when the Pride close out their regular season home schedule for Senior Day against the Minutemen of Massachusetts in another key Colonial Athletic Association contest at James M. Shuart Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
Chris Vale, Beat Writer Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse
Lacrosse is Awesome