By John Iadevaia, Staff Writer
Hofstra men’s lacrosse head coach Seth Tierney knew it would be a confidence boost for his young team to start 1-0 in CAA play. What was seen was a complete team effort in the Pride’s 13-5 victory over conference rival Delaware.
“The heart inside the uniform today was something that I really, just really enjoyed,” said Tierney in the postgame press conference.
The referees were active in a game Tierney admitted, “The ball is irrelevant”. Sixteen total penalties were taken with 15 minutes combined. Hofstra capitalized on its chances, finishing 4-7 on the extra man opportunity (EMO).
With Hofstra’s success on the EMO, its defense was just as successful when the Pride found itself down a man. Hofstra held Delaware to 1-9 on EMOs in the contest.
The player’s lucky charm might have been the new green shamrock uniforms, a gift from Warrior, the team’s equipment suppliers, to the players after warm-ups. Hofstra donned green and white helmets and gloves with shamrocks on the cuffs.
Hofstra (3-3, 1-0 CAA) would take a 4-2 lead after the first quarter. Junior midfielder Adrian Sorichetti was responsible for two of the goals, including a behind-the-back shot through traffic.
That lead would be erased by back-to-back goals from Delaware to start the second quarter. Sophomore attackman Lance Yapor responded on the extra man chance to put the Pride back on top 5-4.
The turning point of the game came with 4:04 left in the second quarter. Junior defender Cody Solaja and Mullen were penalized for a combined three minutes, leading to a 6-on-4, 6-on-5 opportunity for the Blue Hens. Hofstra killed off Delaware’s golden chance to take control of the game. Blue Hen’s John Mills would net the equalizer minutes later, the last of the game for his squad. Graduate midfielder Steve Serling scored right before halftime to give the blue and gold the momentum.
Hofstra would score seven straight goals to close out the game. Sorichetti capped it off with his third goal of the game with a little Irish stepdance to celebrate.
Freshman Tyler Begely also scored three goals and added an assist. Yapor and Serling both finished with two goals to round off the scoring. The offense found their quality chances with getting mismatches, effective outside shooting, and perimeter passing to find the open lanes.

Sophomore Lance Yapor has added depth to the Hofstra attack. (Cody Heintz/The Chronicle)