Hofstra men’s lacrosse captain and attackman Ryan Tierney continues to dominate the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in his final year playing for the Hofstra Pride. Tierney is competing in his eligibility year after his senior season was cut short due to the pandemic last March.
Ryan Tierney has been a part of the Hofstra men’s lacrosse team since his freshman year in 2017, playing under his father’s coaching for the entirety of his college career. “When I was born, the first thing that was given to me was a lacrosse stick,” Tierney said. “My dad has been a part of lacrosse for forever, he loves it.”
Inspired by his father, Tierney chose to pursue lacrosse at Hofstra and lead the Pride to success. “I saw an opportunity to play at the highest level and make memories with my dad and I took it,” he said.
In 2021, it is clear he has not missed a step and picked up right where he left off after a yearlong hiatus due to the pandemic. In six games last year, he had 21 goals and 35 points, and only four games into this season, he already has 23 goals and 30 points. He has achieved many accolades during his time at Hofstra and continues to add to the list this season. He became the all-time CAA leader in points and all-time Hofstra leader in goals. “I still have one goal in mind, and that is all-time points at Hofstra,” Tierney said.
Tierney’s mentality to constantly push himself and succeed is especially strong now, due to the early ending of the 2020 season. “This is redemption for last season, but it is also our last opportunity and we are not wasting it,” Tierney said.
Tierney credits his teammates for the team’s early success this season. The Hofstra Pride’s roster gained depth with the addition of two new transfers to the team in June 2020, Alex Concannon and Justin Sykes. “They are monumental – I couldn’t be more thankful for them and I want to win the CAA championship with this team,” Tierney said.
Tierney added that his main priority is to make his family proud. He credits his mother for being there for him through the highs and lows during his life, and his father for his mentorship and guidance, both in lacrosse and beyond. “Hofstra lacrosse has shown me over time what is most important in life and how to get there. I credit everyone from my teammates to my coaches to my family for all my experiences,” he said.
Tierney’s final goal is to win the CAA championship, and he is confident that with this roster, it is very possible. This is his final season with the Pride and he will soon move on to the National Lacrosse League, where he will play for the New York Riptide.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
