By Sean Williams - STAFF WRITER
The Hofstra men’s lacrosse team must be experiencing bad flashbacks after a 14-12 road loss to Princeton University this Saturday. The game drops the Pride to 0-2 on the season after a home opener loss to Marquette – the exact start that the 2014 squad had as it stumbled out of the gate before regaining stride and moving to an 11-5 record.
“Certainly disappointed in the outcome, especially in a lapse in the third quarter where we lost out composure,” said head coach Seth Tierney. “But you can’t look for excuses.”
Princeton in particular seems to have Hofstra’s number, as this is the fourth straight year that the Tigers have topped the Pride. Even while losing star midfielder Tom Schreiber to graduation, Princeton’s attack could not be stopped, as Mike MacDonald scored five goals and added four more assists.
Hofstra took a 2-1 lead early on scores from Dylan Alderman and Sam Llinares, but from the end of the first quarter to midway through the second, the Tigers rattled off four unanswered scores. The Pride then regained life and went on a three-goal streak of their own, including Trevor Kupecky earning his first to tie the game. But Kip Moore would find the back of the net in the final second of the half to not only put Princeton up 6-5, but also already give him a hat trick.
The Pride could not stop its hosts in the third quarter, though, where the Tigers outscored Hofstra 7-2 after McDonald scored four of his five, including three over just 1:38. After the third horn sounded, Princeton nearly doubled Hofstra’s total, 13-7.
Even a strong Hofstra rally in the fourth came too late, with Hofstra besting Princeton 5-1, but most notably failing to score with the opposing defense two men down.
“We had a chance to cut it down to two or one on a non-releasable,” said Tierney. “They played two guys versus our three, and we dropped it.”
Even with Malave obtaining a hat trick of his own, the final score still had the Pride falling two short, with a final of 14-12.
In a repeat of last year, Tierney must reevaluate his team’s performance, particularly on defense. Despite Kris Clarke’s strong showing at the faceoff, the Pride did not have answers on the defensive end of the field.
Chris Selva, the generally reliable senior goalie, struggled, allowing 14 goals to 6 saves. Overall the Pride actually outperformed the Tigers with shots and ground balls, but still could not prevent the loss.
The game was initially planned to take place on Friday, but the frigid temperatures pushed the game back to Saturday afternoon. The snow fell, and in large amounts, regardless of the reschedule, and the conditions caused a unique game for both squads, and a different way of playing on such a slippery surface.
“There are times where you start sliding, and you can’t stop,” said Tierney. “But that problem was equal for both teams.”
The Pride now prepare for a home game against Manhattan this Tuesday, in what must be considered a critical nonconference match if the Pride hope for any chance at an at-large consideration for the NCAA tournament in May.