The buzz around the Hofstra men’s lacrosse program has been around Ryan Tierney, and rightfully so. The senior has 48 points through eight games so far in 2021, showcasing more than a few highlight-reel goals.

Tierney could be the key to a Colonial Athletic Association title for the Pride, but this team is much more than its star player — and that was on display in Friday night’s matchup with UMass. Tierney chipped in three goals and three assists, but it was the efforts on one of his teammates that proved vital.

With Hofstra trailing by a goal late in the fourth quarter, its offense came alive at the right time. Riley Forte tied the game, and Justin Lynskey added two straight goals which proved to the game-winners to fuel Hofstra’s 12-11 victory over UMass. The win vaults the Pride to second in the CAA standings, a game behind Delaware.

Forte and Lynskey, both in their fifth year of college lacrosse, combined for six goals and three assists to fuel a crucial conference win.

Hofstra’s offense, though, did not get off to a strong start. Dillon Arrant had two goals to help UMass take a 5-2 lead after the first quarter. Ryan Tierney scored the final two goals of the first half to cut the Pride deficit to 8-6 entering halftime.

Tierney scored out of the break and then sent a beautiful bounce pass over to Lynskey, who blasted the game-tying goal with 14:00 left in the third quarter. The teams went back-and-forth throughout the third and early fourth quarter, with Billy Philpott’s goal giving UMass the 10-9 lead with 12:48 left.

Forte followed with a goal, and Lynskey with two more, in the span less than five minutes to push Hofstra ahead 12-10. Jeff Trainor added a late goal to cut the UMass deficit to 12-11.

Monmouth Gets Past Detroit Mercy

David Cormack and Mike McIntyre each scored two goals in Monmouth's 9-7 victory over Detroit Mercy on Friday night. The Hawks used a four-goal first-half run to break open a tight game and take a 7-5 lead at half. 

Detroit Mercy cut the deficit to one goal on a Scott Shepard goal at the end of the third quarter, but Cormack was the lone scorer in the fourth quarter.