Men's lacrosse defends home field against Hampton

 The Hofstra University men’s lacrosse team got themselves back in the win column by defeating the Hampton University Pirates 21-5 on Saturday, April 20. Hofstra now sits at 2-4 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play and is tied with Stony Brook University, Drexel University and Monmouth University. This win is just the Pride’s second since Feb. 17, when the Pride beat Siena College.

Before the game, Hofstra had their senior day festivities to honor 10 graduating players. On the field, Hofstra emptied their bench, getting 33 different players into the game, including all 10 seniors. Gerard Kane led the attack with four goals and two assists in just his second game of the season. Anthony Mollica, John Madsen and Justin Sykes all tallied hat tricks.

“Today’s game was bittersweet,” said Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney. “Senior day means putting an emphasis on what could be the end of 10 guys’ time with the program. It’ll be hard to see these guys go.”

Hofstra jumped Hampton early with a goal from Sykes less than three minutes into the game.

Everything continued to go Hofstra’s way as the Pride put up a nine spot in the first quarter with three goals from Sykes and one each from Madsen, Sam Lutfi, Griffin Turner, Vincent McDermott and Trey Parkes. 

The Pride looked to be in a different class than Hampton with Chase Patterson winning eight of nine draws and the team outshooting Hampton 15-2.

With Hofstra pulling away after the first, Tierney made some changes to the lineup. The second midfield line of McDermott, Parkes and Trevor Natalie played the majority of the game after the first quarter.

Hofstra continued to pour on the goals in the second quarter when Madsen completed the hat trick to put the Pride up by 10 after 30 minutes.

Starting in the second half, all of the Pride’s starters were taken out of the game. Every senior played in the game and made an impact in their own way. 

On offense, Tierney inserted younger players who have had limited time all year. On defense, senior players came off the bench.

The Pride were an excellent 19-22 on clears in large part thanks to senior defender John Recher. He filled Blake Cooling’s usual role and provided support to Hofstra in transition and was rewarded with two assists. He had just two career points entering the day.

Senior defenders Diego Zimmerman and Grayson Feick in conjunction with senior goalie Max May held Hampton to just two goals in the second half.

Kane and Mollica combined for seven goals to push the Pride over the 20-goal mark for just the second time this season. Kane, a 19-goal man last year, registered his first of the season while Mollica netted his first collegiate hat trick.

Up next for the Pride is Long Island rival Stony Brook. Currently, four teams sit at 2-4 in CAA play and are all vying for the last spot in the CAA tournament. Hofstra must beat Stony Brook and needs Monmouth to beat Drexel to make the tournament. Game time for the Pride and Seawolves from LaValle Stadium on Saturday, April 27, is at noon.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Matteo Bracco