By Alana Pelosi
While coach Seth Tierney would tell you rankings mean nothing and that the team is looking to get better, Tuesday’s theatrics were just another example of how dedicated the team is to perfection. Now, no one is perfect and the “1” and the end of 5-1 would certainly indicate that the Pride is indeed fallible, but that does not mean they are second-class citizens.
From their upset over Princeton to the phenomena known as Jay Card to freshman goalie Andrew Gvozden’s 27 saves over Army, the team is downright impressive. The team is currently No. 6 in the nation, and that’s no small feet. And, while “rankings mean nothing,” being ranked ahead of Duke and Johns Hopkins surely stands for something.
Tuesday night was further proof that the team is meant for bigger things. After a 2-2 tie at halftime, both teams rallied and scored four goals apiece in the third quarter, and two goals apiece in the fourth. The teams continued to battle it out until 1:13 into overtime when Card stepped up once again. In a play that was so beautiful that THE one and only worldwide leader in sports, ESPN, felt it was worthy of being No. 3 on their top plays. Card managed to go over the defender’s should whilst getting rocked in the face to score the game-winning goal. On the whole, Card finished the game with three goals as did senior Captain Michael Colleluori.
The Pride is not in a league of its own, either. Of the five victories, four came with only one-point margins. The exception was Princeton, which the Pride outscored the Tigers by a whopping two points, giving them the 9-7 win. As a team, they are managing to keep it together.
Hofstra may very well be one of the toughest teams to beat in college lacrosse right now. So far, five teams have been unable to stop and them and the Pride doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. I do not believe the team is the most talented in the nation; against Hopkins they looked overmatched. Even though Sacred Heart was a win, it was over a team that is mediocre at best. However, the team will hang in there and do anything to win, and that is what makes them unstoppable.
The Pride finished what was probably the most difficult part of their schedule, but they also must carry their momentum into CAA play. As defending champs and host to the semifinal round of the NCAA tournament, they have a lot to live up to.
The Pride hosts Robert Morris this Saturday at James M. Shuart Stadium. They then face University of Delaware at Giants Stadium for the Inside Lacrosse Big City Classic the following weekend.