After a tough loss to begin conference play, the Hofstra Pride men’s lacrosse team defeated the University of Delaware Blue Hens, 12-11 at Delaware Stadium on Saturday, April 9.

It hasn’t been easy for the Pride recently, as they went into Saturday on a three-game losing skid.

The game began with a faceoff win for Logan Premtaj as the Blue Hens gained possession to start. Delaware’s Mike Robinson launched a shot that hit the post, and the Pride was able to convert in transition as Dylan McIntosh netted the first goal of the afternoon, putting Hofstra up by one goal.

After Premtaj won the following faceoff, the Hens were able to follow up with a goal of their own, as Owen Grant tied the game at one with 11:53 remaining in the quarter.

After another faceoff win for the Hens, both teams traded possessions for five minutes until the Pride’s Tom Ford was given a penalty, putting Hofstra in a man-down situation. Delaware capitalized on the opportunity, and JP Ward gave the Hens a one-goal lead.  

After Delaware won the following faceoff, a turnover helped give Hofstra possession. The Pride capitalized on the opportunity with McIntosh tying the game at two goals a side with his second goal of the game, assisted by Griffin Turner.

After Chase Patterson won the following faceoff for the Pride, a turnover helped give Delaware possession, which led to Ward netting his second goal of the afternoon. Delaware quickly struck again when Tye Kurtz gave the Hens a two-goal lead following a Hofstra turnover. Ryan Sheridan was able to respond for the Pride with 50 seconds remaining in the first.

At the end of the opening quarter, Delaware held a 4-3 advantage.

The second quarter began with a goal from Robinson, making it a 5-3 game for Delaware.  He was answered by Gerard Kane two minutes later pulling the Pride back to within a goal.

After the Pride won the following faceoff, a turnover turned into another Delaware goal as Drew Lenkaitis gave the Hens a two-goal lead again.

After Delaware won the following faceoff, Hofstra’s Mac Gates made a save on a shot from Ward. The Pride then cleared the ball, and Sterlyn Ardrey pulled Hofstra within one goal, helping ignite a scoring run.

Minutes later, Rory Jones added his 13th goal of the season when he took a pass from Matt Elder, tying the game at six.

Matt Kilkeary substituted in goal for the Hens, replacing Paul Reidy.

After Premtaj won the following faceoff both teams traded possessions until Hofstra’s Richie Hickis was called for a slashing penalty.

After Robinson launched a shot that was saved by Gates, Corey Kale came down the other way and ripped a shot that went into the back of the net, giving the Pride its first lead of the game..

After 30 minutes of play, the Pride led the Blue Hens 7-6.

At halftime, the Hens led the Pride in the ground ball category 15-13. They also had a lead in saves with eight to Hofstra’s five.

Coming out of halftime, the Pride gained the opening possession on a faceoff violation from the Hens. One minute into the quarter, Jones netted his second goal of the afternoon putting Hofstra up by two. 

The Hens were able to tie the game with goals from Jason Kolar and Kurtz, but the Pride responded with a run of their own, as Ardrey answered with his second goal of the afternoon shortly after. Turner then gave the Pride a two-goal lead once again, with his fourth score of the season.

Minutes later after both teams had traded possessions, McIntosh netted his third goal of the afternoon putting Hofstra up by three with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter.

Both teams were scoreless throughout the remaining time as Hofstra led 11-8 heading into the final 15 minutes.

After Ward brought the Hens to within two, Jones collected his third goal of the afternoon for the Pride, pushing the Pride’s lead back to three.

Both teams traded possessions throughout the quarter, but with 3:05 remaining Robinson added his second goal of the game for the Hens bringing them to within two.

After Hofstra won the following faceoff, a turnover turned into a Delaware clear. The Pride was then called for a one-minute penalty with 50 seconds remaining, leaving room for Robinson to net his third goal of the game, bringing the Hens to within a goal.

After the Pride won the following faceoff, another turnover nearly led to another Delaware score, but Hofstra held it together, notching its first conference win of the season by a final score of 12-11.

Jones and McIntosh each added three goals for the Pride in the win.

Turner led in the assist category with two.

Patterson went 15-27 in the faceoff circle while adding eight ground balls and leading with two caused turnovers.

Gates had 11 saves in the win, while adding two ground balls.

The Pride will return home to the James M. Shuart Stadium for their next contest, on Saturday, April 16, where they will host Drexel University. Faceoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Evan Bernstein/Hofstra Athletics