The Hofstra men’s lacrosse team defeated Towson University at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Saturday, April 30, winning 15-14 in the final game of the regular season thanks to a game-winning goal with only six seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Hofstra ended the regular season with an overall record of 6-9 and finished with a 2-3 record in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play. Towson dropped to 6-8 on the season and 3-2 in conference play.
Dylan McIntosh bagged his 21st goal of the season with a goal in the opening minute of the first quarter. Soon after, Gerard Kane found the back of the net on an unassisted goal with 13:25 to play, taking an early 2-0 lead. One minute later, Towson tied the score at two with back-to-back goals by Nick DeMaio. Kane and McIntosh added another goal each to go ahead 4-2. Towson cut the deficit back by one with a goal by Austin Stewart before the Pride put up three consecutive goals to take a multi-goal lead once again, 7-3, with 4:23 on the clock. Towson closed the quarter with a score by James Avanzato to trail 7-4.
The second quarter was largely quiet until 6:47, when Justin Sykes found the back of the net on an unassisted goal. In the fifth minute, Sykes scored again with a goal assisted by Matt Elder to lead 9-4. The Tigers responded with a goal by DeMaio, his third of the day on an assist by Kyle Berkeley, to cut the lead to four, 9-5, heading into halftime.
Sterlyn Ardrey started the third period with a goal to go up 10-5. Towson looked to make up some ground with two goals to trail 10-7. The attempted comeback rally was short-lived, as the Pride scored twice, one each from Sykes and McIntosh, to go ahead 12-7.
The fourth quarter was fiercest battle of the day, with Towson coming out of the gates on fire, scoring five consecutive goals to tie the game at 12. It was a spread-out attack for the Tigers, with each score coming from a different player. The Pride responded with another goal by Sykes with 6:22 remaining, leading 13-12. Avanzato scored to tie the game once again with 5:08 left to play. McIntosh scored one more time to bring Hofstra back in front, before Berkeley nailed a shot with 41 seconds to go.
Both teams were deadlocked at 14, with each looking to shock the other with a game-winning goal. With six seconds left on the clock, Rory Jones reclaimed the back of the net for the Pride with a tightly contested shot to seal the road victory.
Hofstra had a four-goal advantage at shots on goal with 26, while Towson had 22. The Tigers turned the ball over two more times with 11 turnovers on the day, with Hofstra having nine. Towson had an advantage on ground balls with 32, while the Pride had 26.
McIntosh led the way for the Pride with five goals on six shots on goal and one assist. Sykes was perfect on shots, scoring four times with four shots on goal. Jones and Kane each put up two goals, with Kane also having two ground balls. Mac Gates collected eight saves in the win.
For Towson, DeMaio led the way with four goals and had two assists. Avanzato put up three goals and one assist. Shilling had two goals and three ground balls, while Matt Constantinides led the team in ground balls with seven. Shane Brennan had 11 saves in the defeat.
Despite the victory over Towson, Hofstra will not compete in the CAA postseason this season.
Photo Courtesy of Lee S. Weissman/Hofstra Athletics
