A second-half comeback by the Hofstra Pride men’s lacrosse team helped push them past the Fairfield University Stags at the James M. Shuart Stadium on Friday, April 30. The Pride won by a score of 18-14.

There were nerves going into Friday night’s game for Hofstra fans, as the men’s lacrosse team headed into the night hoping to secure a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) playoffs. The Pride came into the contest tied with the same in-conference record as the Towson Tigers, who were scheduled to play on Saturday, May 1, against the Drexel Dragons.

As the rain poured down in Hempstead right before the opening faceoff, the electricity was flowing between both benches. Despite Hofstra winning the opening faceoff, a turnover on them gave the Stags the upper hand, and Kyle Borda gave Fairfield a one-goal lead.

Brian Herber won the following faceoff for Hofstra and James Philbin tied the game at one apiece, but the goal was answered shortly after with Trent Moran finding the back of the net for the Stags to give Fairfield a one-goal advantage once again.

After both teams traded possessions down the stretch of the opening period, Riley Forte had his first goal of the evening to once again tie the game, but Travis Ford netted his first goal of the evening to regain the Stags’ one-goal lead heading into the second period.

At the start of the second period, Bryce Tolmie and Sam Lutfi each found the back of the net to score for the Pride, but Travis Ford answered for the Stags in a man-up situation to tie the game.

Trevor Ford gave the Stags a one-goal advantage, but Justin Lynskey answered for the Pride to tie the game at six goals each. Despite Shane Osborne giving Fairfield a one-goal advantage once again, Lynskey brought Hofstra even at seven with 6:22 left in the half.

The Stags closed on a four-goal run and saw themselves leading 10-6 heading into the half.

After Herber won the opening faceoff in the third period, Sterlyn Ardrey netted his sixth goal of the season, bringing the Pride within three.

After a Pride turnover, Borda gave the Stags a four-goal advantage once again.

Ryan Sheridan chipped in the Pride’s eighth goal of the evening, and on the following faceoff, Ryan Tierney found Michael Altmann for Hofstra’s ninth, bringing them to within two goals.

After a Hofstra turnover on the following possession, Taylor Strough gave the Stags a three-goal advantage, and after a Hofstra penalty, Dylan Beckwith extended that to four with 8:28 remaining in the period.

With a postseason opportunity on the line, the Hofstra Pride gained momentum to close out the period.

In a man-up situation, Lynskey found the back of the net for his third goal of the night. Minutes later, Dylan McIntosh netted his first. After Herber won the following faceoff, McIntosh added his second goal of the evening, bringing the Pride back to within a goal with 20 seconds remaining, erupting the Hofstra bench.

After Herber won the following faceoff, Tierney netted his first goal of the night tying both teams at 13 heading into the fourth and final period.

Early in the fourth, McIntosh intercepted a pass by the Stags’ Lucas Pederson and chipped in his third goal, giving the Pride a one-goal advantage with 11:47 remaining.  

After a Hofstra penalty, Fairfield was able to find the back of the net tying the game at 14, but it was all Pride to close out the final period.

Ryan Tierney gave the Pride a one-goal advantage and McIntosh followed up with another, with the assist coming from Altmann. Minutes later, Philbin provided some insurance for the Pride with his second goal of the evening.

With 4:49 remaining, Tierney tied the CAA record for all-time in career goals with 162 while giving his team an 18-14 lead. Both teams traded possessions as the clock wound down to zero.

“[I am] so proud of the seniors, so proud of the guys that played in front of me, and equally as proud of the guys that were behind me,” Seth Tierney said.

Bobby Casey earned the win in goal for the Pride. He tied his career-high with 17 saves. Herber was 19-30 in the faceoff circle while leading the team with 13 ground balls. Chase Patterson was 3-5 in the circle.

McIntosh had a team-high of four goals and an assist, while Lynskey had three goals and two assists. Logan Danenza led with two caused turnovers.

Ryan Tierney’s final goal of the evening tied Curtis Dickson for the most in CAA history at 162.

“From day one he was a sponge, and he took everything that the upperclassmen threw at him and he has responded. When he was a sophomore, really a junior, he mixed that all together and became a great leader,” said Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney.

On Saturday, May 1, the Drexel Dragons defeated the Towson Tigers to give the Pride men’s lacrosse team a spot in the CAA playoffs.  

The Pride looks next to Thursday, May 6, when they will take on the University of Delaware Blue Hens. Faceoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Photo Courtesy of Adam Flash/The Hofstra Chronicle