Despite a strong game for junior Ryan Tierney and a third quarter comeback, Hofstra men’s lacrosse fell 10-9 to No. 14 Villanova on Saturday afternoon at Villanova Stadium in overtime. It was the Pride’s first overtime game since a victory on April 23, 2016 against the University of Massachusetts.
“Awfully proud of our guys. Awfully proud,” head coach Seth Tierney said. “I thought they played as hard as they have played all year. There’s just something about this team … Not happy when we lose, but they did a hell of a job fighting today.”
Ryan Tierney netted a career-high-tying five goals, including three in the third quarter to help lead the Pride in a six-goal run. It was the third time in his career he’s reached his career-high, previously posting five against Stony Brook University last season and Drexel University in 2017.
“[Ryan Tierney] played well,” Seth Tierney said. “He did a good job. [Villanova’s] goalie made a couple of saves on him in the end … Again, awfully proud of him as a coach and as a father.”
The Pride trailed by three to start the second half, but came out strong with six goals in the first 10 minutes of the third to go up 9-6. Jimmy Yanes scored the first goal one minute into the quarter unassisted, while Ryan Tierney connected for his third goal of the game and second hat-trick of the season three minutes later. Dylan McIntosh netted another goal for the Pride under a minute later off a pass from Dominic Pryor to tie the game at six.
Ryan Tierney continued his strong offensive play, netting two more in less than a minute, and James Philbin added one more off a pass from Yanes to stake a 9-6 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
Goalkeeper Bobby Casey made three saves to keep the Wildcats at bay, but they weren’t giving up yet.
Connor Kirst got a man-up goal just under three minutes into the fourth and Matt Campbell added his fifth and sixth goals of the game to tie things up at nine. Both teams had an opportunity to score once more and end things in regulation, but were unable to take advantage of the chance.
In overtime, Kirst scored his second goal of the game and second consecutive overtime game-winner over a minute into the extra play, beating Casey from 13-yards out. Kirst’s previous overtime winner came against Yale last Saturday in the Wildcats’ 11-10 victory.
“I told the fellas, ‘Win or lose, it’s not going to define us. It’s going to drive us,’” Seth Tierney said. “We had a great challenge today and we rose to the challenge.
Casey made 10 saves in the net for the Pride.
The Wildcats led the game in ground balls, picking up 28 compared to Hofstra’s 23, and they outshot the Pride 47-33.
Hofstra drops to 2-1 on the season, while Villanova picks up its second victory.
The Pride return home to face Long Island rival Stony Brook University on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. at James M. Shuart Stadium.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
