A first-half scoring surge by the Drexel University Dragons was too much to overcome for the Hofstra Pride men’s lacrosse team, as they were defeated in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship game 15-11 at James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday, May 8.

Hofstra served as host to the CAA playoffs at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead. Fans were able to be in attendance to support their respective teams.  

Due to seeding, the Dragons were considered the home team, and they came into Saturday’s championship game after overcoming a deficit of their own against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen two days prior.

As for the Pride, they entered Saturday’s contest after a strong performance by Dylan McIntosh and a full team effort lifted them over the University of Delaware Blue Hens in the semifinal round.

Despite the Pride winning the opening faceoff, a turnover led to possession for the Dragons. Drexel was able to capitalize on the opportunity, as Reid Bowering gave his team a one-goal lead.

A little over a minute later, another turnover on Hofstra led to Luke Tomak giving Drexel a two-goal lead.

After Brian Herber won the following faceoff and two flags were thrown against the Dragons, Ryan Tierney was able to find the back of the net to cut the Pride’s deficit to a goal. With his first goal of the afternoon, Ryan moved to first all-time in the CAA with 163.

The moment didn’t last too long, however, as the Dragons went on a five-goal run to end the first period and took a 7-1 lead heading into the second. 

Drexel’s Jack Mulcahy started the scoring in the second period. He was followed by Brent McVicker and Tomak, giving Drexel a commanding 10-1 lead.  

Ryan Tierney was able to put in a goal for the Pride with six minutes remaining, but it was the Pride’s lone goal in the frame. At halftime, the Dragons led the Pride 10-2.

Hofstra was able to chip away slightly in the third period, as Justin Lynskey and Ryan Sheridan notched one goal apiece at the start of the period to bring the Pride back to within six.

After Sean Quinn scored to cut some of Hofstra’s momentum, Sheridan added back-to-back goals to bring the score to 11-6.

Despite Hofstra winning the following faceoff, a turnover led to Mulcahy adding his second goal of the afternoon.

Herber won the following face-off and scooped the ground ball. He charged to the net and put in his his first goal of the season with just 14 seconds remaining in the period. The Pride entered the final 15 minutes trailing by five, but in a man-up situation thanks to a penalty on Drexel at the end of the third.

Despite Sam Lutfi bringing the Pride to within four on the man-up opportunity, Bowering extended Drexel’s lead back to five with his fourth goal of the afternoon.

After another penalty against Drexel, Lutfi notched his second goal, once again bringing Hofstra to within four. As time was dwindling down and both teams traded possessions, James Philbin cut the lead to three with 1:13 remaining.

With 25 seconds to play, the Dragons’ Aidan Coll added the final goal of the game, and Drexel claimed the CAA Championship, defeating the Pride 15-11.

“The end is always rough,” said Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney. “I love the way my guys responded. I love the way the staff responded. For us to play like that after what happened in the first half, it just shows the type of character these men [have]. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for Hofstra lacrosse.”

Bobby Casey had the loss for the Pride despite nine saves. Herber was 10-17 from the faceoff circle and led with six ground balls. Chase Patterson was 5-10 and collected five ground balls.

Sheridan led the Pride with three goals while Lutfi, Lynksey and Ryan Tierney each had two. Michael Altmann added two caused turnovers for Hofstra. Bowering led both teams in goals scored with five.

In Ryan Tierney’s final game for the Hofstra Pride men’s lacrosse team, he added two assists, while his two goals had him finish with 164 in his career. He officially passed Curtis Dickson of the University of Delaware for all-time goals scored in CAA history, and his 251 points also stands as the CAA’s all-time best.

“How do you hit lotto five years in a row? [Because] that’s what it was,” Seth Tierney said. “How lucky could a coach be to coach a young man like [Ryan Tierney], and then to have that young man be your son and to go through unbelievable highs and devastating lows? Our relationship has grown and is strong, and I’m a fortunate man. I’m going to miss that young man. I’m going to miss seeing him every day. He [would] give back all his goals for a win today.”

“Hofstra lacrosse is in a really good place because of [this] senior class,” Seth Tierney said. “They have shown [the underclassmen] what a good culture is, how to work hard, and they’ve shown them the way and they’ve passed the torch to them.” 

The Pride bring back a number of core players next season, including several players who have served as leaders throughout the 2021 campaign.  

“Our goal is to be right back in that [CAA Championship] game and on the other side of it next year,” Seth Tierney said.

Photo Courtesy of Jacob Lewis/The Hofstra Chronicle