Men's lacrosse opens season with comeback thriller

The Hofstra men’s lacrosse team got off to a great start this weekend with a 4-3 thrilling comeback win over No. 13 Lehigh University on Saturday, Feb. 9. 

The winning goal came from freshman Matt Elder as he scored his first collegiate goal with 1:42 left in the game to give his team the lead for good. 

The Pride’s comeback started while trailing 3-1 at the start of the fourth quarter when sophomore

James Philbin scored his first collegiate goal just 1:22 into the fourth quarter. This proved to rejuvenate the Pride’s attack as they then scored their next goal just two minutes later from the hands of veteran Ryan Tierney to tie the score at three.

With the score even for each team with a little under two minutes remaining, Elder threw in the winning goal to secure the Pride’s first win to open the season. They’ve started three of their last four seasons with a victory.  

 “It’s pretty cool, it’s cool to be with all the guys you know,” Elder said. “Being from North Carolina it’s a cool experience to come up here and play with everyone.” 

The win marks vengeance for the Pride after a 13-8 loss to this Lehigh team last season. Hofstra now leads the series 6-1. 

This is also the fourth straight season in which Hofstra men’s Lacrosse was able to secure a victory against a top 15 team. 

Tierney’s goal brings him within 97 career points, 59 by goal and 38 assists.Hofstra Junior Ryan Tierney was able to get one more goal 

“If I had to take away one thing it was resilient, responding,” said Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney. “To have such a young team and young guys and inexperienced guys all over the place, to have them be down and still fight till the end and keep their poise… It was a good win. I’m proud of them.” 

The win marked his 105thwin at Hofstra University

It was a big win for the team’s opening game and they hope to keep it up Hofstra next Saturday, Feb. 16 for its home opener at James M, Shuart Stadium at 3 p.m. against the University of Utah.

Image Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics