The Hofstra University men’s lacrosse team defeated Iona University 14-7 in the 2026 season opener on Monday, Feb. 2. 

The contest was delayed from its initial start time on Saturday, Jan. 31, due to weather and field conditions at James M. Shuart Stadium on Hofstra’s campus. The game was moved to Iona in New Rochelle, New York. 

Senior captain Trevor Natalie led the Pride in scoring with four goals and two assists, while freshman Gus Langtry scored his first collegiate goal. Shea Kennedy made 11 saves and finished the game with an above .500 save percentage for the fifth straight game. 

Iona’s goalkeeper Denny Piekutowski finished with 12 saves. Redshirt freshman Luke Neary recorded his first two-goal game, and five other Gaels found the back of the net once.

Sophomore Joey DeYoung wasted no time getting the Pride on the board. Hofstra opened the scoring on their first shot in the first minute of the game. DeYoung played on the first line midfield and earned his first career start.

Natalie followed suit, doubling the Pride’s lead six minutes in. Senior Trey Parkes assisted on the first two goals and later found the back of the net in the second half.

Iona battled back. Cullen Lawry scored the first goal for the Gaels midway through the first. Lawry potted 30 goals for Iona last season and was named to the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Rook Team in 2025.

Hofstra and Iona remained close throughout the first half. Anthony Mollica and Matt Vilas both scored to give Hofstra their largest lead of the half at 4-1. 

Hofstra and Iona played an even first half, with the Pride having a shot advantage of 21-17. Piekutowski made six saves in the second half, which kept the Gaels trailing 6-5 at halftime.

The Pride broke the scoring slump in the second half and buried the Gaels with five straight in the third quarter. Sophomore Drew Bogardus followed up last year’s 35 goal campaign with three in the quarter. Fellow sophomore Anthony Laber scored his fourth career goal.

Hofstra’s defensive unit of Henry Troy, Austin Clarke, Blake Cooling and Will Delaney held Iona to just two goals in the final 30 minutes. Those four defenders forced five of the Pride’s eight caused turnovers. 

Iona turned the ball over 24 times to Hofstra’s 13. Hofstra’s strong ball control made up for the fact that they won just 9-24 faceoffs, an area Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney has worked to improve in the offseason.

Last season, the Pride beat the Gaels 20-2 in their season opener. That game was Iona’s first contest as a Division I lacrosse program. 

The Pride is back in action on Friday, Feb. 6, to battle College of the Holy Cross. Opening faceoff is set for 3 p.m. from James M. Shuart Stadium.