Turnovers and timely scoring were issues as the Hofstra Pride was defeated by the Long Island University (LIU) Sharks 14-11 in the opening round of the Long Island Cup at the James M. Shuart Stadium on Friday, Feb. 25.
Hofstra had the privilege to host the Long Island Cup as they welcomed the LIU Sharks, the Stony Brook University Wolves, and the St. John’s University Red Storm to Hempstead. The Pride took on the Sharks as the Wolves took on the Red Storm in the opening round. The winners of each game will play in the finals on Sunday, Feb. 27.
After LIU’s Justin Joseph won the opening face-off, both teams traded possession throughout the opening minutes.
The scoring for the afternoon started as Marcin Maleski found the back of the net, putting LIU up by one with 5:30 remaining in the first period. The lead increased to two as Jake Gillis netted his first goal of the day.
The Pride was held scoreless throughout the first quarter despite six shots. That all changed in the second, as James Philbin started the scoring for Hofstra netting his first goal of the game.
Minutes after a penalty on LIU’s Zander Hauck gave the Pride an extra-man opportunity, Philbin netted his second goal with a pass from Gerard Kane, tying the game at two with 11:48 remaining.
Rory Jones joined the Pride’s scoring surge by netting his first goal of the afternoon with a pass from Philbin.
Will Snelders tied the game at three apiece with his first goal of the afternoon for LIU, but the tie was broken when Jones added his second goal for Hofstra regaining the Pride’s lead.
A little over two minutes later, after a Sharks turnover, Charlie Regault scooped a ground ball and scored, giving the Pride a two-point advantage. Corey Kale added to Hofstra’s lead with his second goal of the season right before the half.
After the first 30 minutes of play, the Pride led 6-3.
Maleski opened up the third quarter with his second goal of the game and was followed up by teammate Sean Boll bringing the Sharks back to within a goal.
Philbin answered for the Pride, netting his third goal and pushing the lead back to two. Minutes later, Ryan Sheridan brought Hofstra’s lead back to three by ripping a shot from the left-wing past goaltender Will Mark.
After Blake Belhen answered for the Sharks, Rory Jones added another goal for the Pride, keeping the lead at three.
James Butler brought the Sharks back to within two, netting his first goal of the match as the Pride went into the fourth quarter leading 9-7.
After Colton Rudd added Hofstra’s 10th goal of the game, Richie LaCalandra found the back of the net for LIU, cutting the Pride’s lead to two. Less than a minute later, Boll was able to follow with his second goal of the game, bringing LIU’s deficit to one.
With 9:20 remaining, Maleski took a pass from Boll and tied the Sharks with the Pride at 10. After both teams traded possessions, Jake Gillis gave LIU their first lead since early in the second quarter.
With 3:53 remaining, Philbin added his fourth goal of the afternoon, tying the game at 11, but that was it in the scoring column for the Pride.
Maleski, Behlen and LaCalandra each found the back of the net in the remaining minutes of the fourth, helping the Sharks defeat the Pride 14-11 in the opening round of the Long Island Cup.
“[I’m] incredibly disappointed. In times when things aren’t going your way, we need some leadership. We need a calming force out there, and we’re still looking for that at this moment,” said Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney.
Philbin ended the game with four goals and an assist, while Jones finished with three goals. Kane led the team with four assists. Brian McIntosh led the Pride with four caused turnovers and scooped five ground balls. Brian Herber was 9-21 from the faceoff circle while Chase Patterson was 2-7. Mac Gates added 14 saves in the loss.
“All game long, their guy [Justin Joseph] was on the whistle every time,” Tierney said.
With the Seawolves defeating the Red Storm in the opening round, Stony Brook will battle LIU on Sunday in the championship game. Face-off will be at 12:00 p.m. The Pride will take on the Red Storm on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the consolation game.
Photo courtesy of Evan Bernstein/The Hofstra Chronicle
