Hofstra men's soccer trio represent Puerto Rico at Central American and Caribbean Games

Three Hofstra men’s soccer players are getting quality preparation for the upcoming season and a unique opportunity at the same time by competing with the Puerto Rican under 21 National Team this month at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games.

The Hofstra trio of senior midfielder Steven Ehrichs, sophomore defender A.J. Laza and sophomore midfielder Stephen Barea are now in Puerto Rico gearing up for the start of the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games, which kicks off on July 17 and concludes on August 1. The Pride players were chosen to the pool in February after a weeklong tryouts and evaluating process in January.  The Hofstra triumvirate arrived in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on June 25 and has been practicing three times a day in addition to holding 8 a.m. workouts in preparation for the games.

“Practices are real intense,” said Barea, who was named to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie team last year as a freshman. “The coaches try and keep us moving.”

Hofstra men's lacrosse recuit Stephen DiGiovanni honored as one of New Jersey's top players

Hofstra men's lacrosse recruit Stephen DiGiovanni has received accolades as one of the top players in New New Jersey by being named to the Star-Ledger All-Waterman Conference First-Team.  

The 6'0 185 pound attackman/midfielder finished as the all time leading scorer in Cranford High School boys' lacrosse history, including 90 points (65 goals and 25 assists) as a junior in 2009. This past Monday DiGiovanni was featured in Cranford Patch where he said of his decision to attend Hofstra, "I didn't want to go to a big school like Ohio State. Hofstra is close to my family, and I just thought, that with the facilities and athletics, this was the school for me and I could keep up academically while balancing my athletics."

Hofstra softball's Kriss Root recognized for hitting and GPA

One week after Hofstra's Kriss Root was named Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year,  the just graduated Pride centerfielder's success on the diamond and in the classroom was featured in the South Central Pennsylvania newspaper "The Chambersburg Public Opinion."

Root excelled in sports and academic statistical categories as the Waynesboro, Pa. native was Hofstra's leading hitter with a .366 batting average in 2010 and she graduated in May with a 3.83 GPA with a degree in exercise science. The article  mentions how the former Pride star will now be pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy and earned the nickname "Dr. Root" by Hofstra head coach Bill Edwards because of her mastery of the sciences and his belief that she has the ability to graduate medical school.

MLL All Star Game to feature two former Hofstra lacrosse players

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced the rosters for its 2010 All Star Game Monday and two former Hofstra players will be taking part in the game that features the top players in the sport.

Long Island Lizards defensemen Nicky Polanco and Brian Spallina, who both starred for Hofstra in the early 2000s, were named to the 20-man All Star squad that will face off against the U.S Men's National Team on Thursday July 8. Spallina, a 2000 graduate, helped lead Hofstra to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 1999 and another NCAA Tournament berth the following year. Polanco, a 2002 graduate, became Hofstra's main defensive force following Spallina's graduation and led the Pride to the 2001 NCAA Quarterfinals.

The July 8 MLL All Star Game at Harvard Stadium in Boston will be broadcasted live on ESPN2 starting at 7 p.m.

Hofstra women's soccer to have challenging 2010 schedule

The Hofstra women's soccer team's 2010 schedule has been released and the Pride will be greatly challenged its non-conference slate.

Hofstra will kick off the 2010 campaign on August 27 at Boston College, which finished last season ranked seventh in the nation. The early non-conference schedule is also highlighted by road contests at Big Ten powers Purdue and Indiana and a home game on Sept. 5 against Fordham, who fell in the Atlantic 10 championship last season.

Hofstra men's lacrosse projected to be top 10 team in 2011

While the 2010 Hofstra men's lacrosse season only ended a month ago with a first round NCAA Tournament loss to then third ranked Maryland, the Pride are already projected to be a top 10 team in 2011, according to a very early poll released today by insidelacrosse.com.

The Insidelacrosse.com "way early' 2011 Media Poll has Hofstra ranked 10th with voters attributing the high expectations to the Canadian attack tandem of Jay Card and Jamie Lincoln, who will both be seniors next year. The voters also however expect the loss of defenseman Christian Scuderi, who was selected in the third round of last week's Major League Lacrosse Draft by the Long Island Lizards, to be a large void to fill. One reason for hope on the defensive side however was the emergence this past season of Cody Solaja, who was named to insidelacrosse.com's All-Freshman Team for Division I after causing eight turnovers as a rookie.

Hofstra's 2011 season opener may be eight months away but with a solid offensive nucleus returning and Shuart Stadium being one of the NCAA Quarterfinal sites next May, there is plenty of reason for Pride fans to be full of optimism that the program could make a splash on the national scene next year.

Long Island Lady Riders feature heavy Hofstra women's soccer contingent

The Hofstra women’s soccer team is getting a major lift in its preparation for the 2010 season thanks to four Pride players currently competing with the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL W-League.

The Hofstra players earning some valuable experience playing for the team that commonly uses the nickname Lady Riders include forwards Salma Tarik and Laura Greene as well as midfielders Tiffany Yovino and Danielle Murino. The Lady Riders, which competes in a league recognized as North America’s main women’s developmental organization, also feature numerous former Hofstra players including goalie Rebecca Wachsberger, defender Sue Weber as well as forwards Brooke DeRosa and Janine Cappello-Bielia.

Future Hofstra softball player Nicole Hagerty ends high school career with title

Future Hofstra softball player Nicole Hagerty concluded her high school career in grand style tossing a five hitter to lead Gloucester Catholic to an 11-1 victory over Lodi Immaculate in the championship game of the NJSIAA/Blue Ribbon Awards Non-Public B tournament on Friday June 4 in Toms River, N.J. 

While Hagerty has excelled as a pitcher in high school she will not be in the circle at the college level. Hofstra softball head coach Bill Edwards has said Hagerty could play first base for the Pride and fill the gap being vacated by graduating senior Michele DePasquale, who the Gloucester Catholic star has had communication with since signing with the Pride. Last year Hagerty was named to the Newark-Star-Ledger All-South Jersey team after leading Gloucester Catholic to a South Jersey championship.

Former Hofstra lacrosse players gear up for Long Island Lizards 2010 Shuart Stadium debut

This Saturday June 5 the Long Island Lizards will make its 2010 Shuart Stadium debut with several former Hofstra lacrosse players getting the chance to perform in familiar territory.

The Long Island Lizards, a Major League Lacrosse franchise founded in 2001, have four of its six home games in 2010 at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium. Saturday's matchup against the Denver Outlaws facing off at 7 p.m. will feature a half dozen former Hofstra players suiting up for the Lizards including defensemen Nicky Polanco, Brian Spallina , Julian Watts and John Orsen as well as midfielders Anthony Muscarella and Mike Unterstein. The visiting Denver Outlaws also boast some former Hofstra lacrosse players including midfielders Kevin Unterstein and Brian Langtry as well as defenseman Sean McCarthy.

Hofstra men's lacrosse looks for bigger accomplishments in 2011

The 2010 Hofstra men’s lacrosse season was filled with many twists and turns culminating in a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance and head coach Seth Tierney already has his mind on accomplishing more in 2011.

With Shuart Stadium being the site of one of the NCAA Quarterfinal doubleheaders in May 2011 Hofstra will have a chance to make a post season splash on its home field but  this opportunity also presents some pressure, according to Tierney. “We know the pressure of having the quarterfinals here,” said Tierney. “It is such a positive to have the quarterfinals at your site because if you can make it you’re guaranteed to play home.”

In addition to trying to make the NCAAs for a fourth straight season, another major goal is to have a strong enough regular season to earn a first round home game. This would present the Pride with an opportunity to earn its first Final Four appearance by winning two games at Shuart Stadium, a place Hofstra was 7-0 in 2010.

Future Hofstra softball player Nicole Hagerty ready for bright lights

The Hofstra's softball team's 2010 season ended with an epic 12 inning loss to third ranked Arizona on Sunday in the NCAA Regional Finals but with the addition this fall of Nicole Hagerty, a star for Gloucester Catholic in South Jersey, the future should continue to be bright for the program. Hagerty, who was named to the Newark-Star-Ledger All-South Jersey team last year, was featured in a q & a with the Philadelphia Inquirer about her decision to attend Hofstra with one of the attractions being the school's proximity to Manhattan. Hagerty could fill the gap at first base being left by graduating senior Michele DePasquale.

Prokopwicz aims to end Hofstra baseball career as a winner

Courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications

The heralded Hofstra baseball career of Matt Prokopwicz will come to a close tomorrow and the Massapequa, N.Y. native is doing his best to end his college playing days on a high note. In a heartbreaking 15-14 10 inning loss to Old Dominion Saturday Prokopwicz showed why he has been one of Hofstra’s all-time great hitters and why professional baseball is likely in his future going 5-for-6 with three RBIs and home run.

“I want to go out with a bang,” said Prokopwicz, who enters his final game as a senior hitting .429 with six home runs. “Today coming out and getting five hits, that is how I want people to remember me as.”

Hofstra softball glad to hit the road for NCAAs

After hosting NCAA Tournament regionals from 2006-2008 the Hofstra softball team will be hitting the road in the post season for the first time in five years and that suits head coach Bill Edwards just fine. After winning the Colonial Athletic Association and the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAAs (Hofstra (43-10) was slotted to play in the Tucson, Ariz. region starting against Oklahoma State (43-14) on Friday.

“I would much rather be on the road,” said Edwards whose teams reached the regional finals in 2004 and 2005 at Stanford and Alabama but did not fare as well the next three years when the NCAAs were held on its home field. “Whenever we hosted we played some of our poorest ball.”

Hofsta softball tradition on display during 2010 CAA championship

Moments after capturing the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title Friday afternoon on the strength of a no-hitter from freshman pitching phenom Olivia Galati the Hofstra softball team transported from its gold uniforms sported during the 3-0 win over Georgia State into old school white jerseys worn underneath. Accepting the CAA championship trophy in the same uniforms worn by past great Hofstra teams was a way of paying homage to past great players who have laid the groundwork for what has become one of the top college softball programs in the northeast.

Hofstra’s 2010 CAA championship was the program’s 12th conference crown in 13 seasons and for every one of those the old school white jerseys have been worn for the title game. “We keep them and break them out once a year,” said Hofstra head softball coach Bill Edwards of the tradition of sporting the white jerseys in conference title games. “The significance is that we’re sending a message to our alumni that everybody is apart of the program.”

“Every time we have worn them in a championship game we have never lost and that tradition continues,” said Galati, whose no-hitter was the first in CAA Tournament history.

Hofstra men's lacrosse begins new season in NCAA Tournament

After a crushing 11-10 overtime loss at Penn State on April 17 the Hofstra men's lacrosse team' lost control of its own destiny to try and reach the NCAA Tournament but thanks to some key results that went their way the Pride has a second life to make 2010 a special season. Despite not making the Colonial Athletic Association post season Hofstra (9-4) received an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night and will travel to third seeded Maryland on Saturday afternoon at Noon in hopes of reaching its first quarterfinals since 2006. 

While Hofstra will have a tall order facing Maryland (11-3) head coach Seth Tierney is just happy that his team gets a fresh start to what has been a season of ups and downs. "Everybody is 0 and 0 now," said Tierney, who has led Hofstra to three NCAA Tournament appearances in a row. "We're cutting the regular season lose."

Breaking down Hofstra men's lacrosse's NCAA at-large chances

Despite not qualifying for the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament the Hofstra men’s lacrosse team is very much in the mix to receive an NCAA Tournament at-large bid when the 16-team field is announced Sunday night.

In the latest NCAA RPI rankings released Monday Hofstra (9-4) was 13th, the highest in the CAA.  More importantly Hofstra has four wins over teams ranked in the RPI top 20 in Johns Hopkins (12), Towson (14), Army (17) and Brown (19), a major criteria considered by the selection committee. Hofstra should also receive help by the fact that the CAA is the second highest ranked automatic bid conference (six teams or more), behind only the Ivy League.

Hofstra Athletic Director Jack Hayes, a member of the NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament selection committee from 2006-2008, said the fact that Hofstra did not make the CAA Tournament will have little bearing on whether the Pride receive a bid. “There is nothing in the criteria that mentions anything about going to a conference tourney,” said Hayes. “I don’t think not making the conference tournament will impact us very much.”

Hofstra softball gearing up to host CAA Tournament

The Hofstra softball team clinched the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) regular season title last weekend by winning two of three at second place Georgia State but head coach Bill Edwards has no plans to take this weekend’s series against Drexel lightly.

“We’re not going to do anything different then we have done all year round,” said Edwards, whose team enters its final three regular season games against Drexel starting with a doubleheader Friday at 37-10 and 15-2 in the CAA. “We’re going to play every game to win.”

While Saturday’s regular season finale will be senior day for Pride seniors Michele DePasquale,  Kris Root, Stefanie Feinstein and Christie Novatin, it will not be the final time the foursome takes the field at Hofstra University Softball Stadium. By winning the CAA regular season title Hofstra earned the right to host the conference tournament from May 12-14.

“It is a privilege to host and they have earned it,” said Edwards. “It is a very good thing for us.”

Hofstra women's lacrosse gearing up for CAA Tournament

One of Hofstra women’s lacrosse head coach Abby Morgan’s chief goals for the 2010 season was to qualify her team for the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament, something the Pride just missed out on the last two years after winning the conference title in 2007. That mission has been accomplished and now attention has turned to making the NCAA Tournament by winning the CAAs next week.

Sixteen ranked Hofstra (11-5, 5-2 in CAA) will be the three seed and be matched up against eighth ranked Towson on Thursday May 6 at 7:30 p.m. on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. A win by Hofstra Thursday would send the Pride to the CAA title game  on Saturday May 8 against either seventh ranked James Madison or William & Mary with an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament at stake.

Hofstra men's lacrosse still alive for NCAA bid after win over Towson

“We aren’t ready to say goodbye just yet,” said Hofstra men’s lacrosse head coach Seth Tierney in Saturday night’s post game press conference following his team’s 12-10  home win over 11th ranked Towson.

Tierney hopes it was not the final time his team took the field in 2010 as Hofstra will now have a week to pray that despite missing out on its conference playoffs their 9-4 record will be enough to receive an invite to the NCAA Tournament. Hofstra’s season has included several impressive wins but it was three critical close Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) losses to Massachusetts, Drexel and Penn State that prevented the Pride from making the  four-team conference playoffs next week despite Saturday’s  huge win over Towson. Had Hofstra reached the CAA playoffs it could have captured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with two wins, but instead it will be a wait and see to determine if its resume with victories over the likes of Johns Hopkins, Brown and Army will be enough to see its season extended. 

Hofstra softball ace Olivia Galati receiving much deserved media attention

The first place Hofstra softball team has a chance to clinch home field advantage for the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament this weekend by taking two of three games at second place Georgia State. A major reason why Hofstra (34-9 and 13-1 in the CAA) is position to win a conference title and return to the NCAA Tournament after missing it for the first time since 2002 last year is ace freshman pitcher Olivia Galati, who enters the series at 20-5 with a 1.26 ERA.

Galati, the 2009 New York State Gatorade Player of the Year winner at St. John's the Baptist High School, has played like a veteran early her college softball career and is receiving well deserved media attention. On April 26 Long Island Pulse published a story on how the 5'5 Galati has made a seamless transition from high school to college pitching. Newsday and Spy Softball also penned features on Galati earlier this month. With the physical and mental toughness Galati has displayed as only a freshman there should be many more articles to come for Hofstra's ace in the circle.

Hofstra men's lacrosse in need of help to make CAA postseason

In the midst of the 15th ranked Hofstra men’s lacrosse team rallying from a 9-6 deficit to achieve a hard fought 14-10 win over Jacksonville Saturday afternoon, an even more dramatic setting in terms of the Pride’s postseason hopes was unfolding three hours away in Suburban Baltimore. In the third quarter Hofstra received some much needed help when Towson held on for a one goal win over Penn  State to momentarily prevent Hofstra’s chances of making the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament from fading.

Hofstra (8-4, 1-3 in the CAA) put itself in the position of needing help from other teams after suffering an 11-10 overtime loss at Penn State a week ago after holding a 7-2 lead late in the first half. Heading into Saturday Hofstra needed three games to go its way to give the Pride a chance to control its own destiny in the regular season finale against Towson on May 1. Hofstra received some much needed help from Towson Saturday afternoon and the coaches and players will be closely keeping track of the Drexel-Delaware game at 7 p.m. Saturday night hoping that the Dragons can aide the Pride’s postseason chances. The combination of a Drexel win tonight and a Delaware victory at Penn State on Friday would put Hofstra in position where it could clinch a CAA playoff spot by simply beating first place Towson in one week at home.

Hofstra women's lacrosse stays focused in blowout over Delaware

Since the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) season began in early April Hofstra women’s lacrosse head coach Abby Morgan has preached the importance of never looking ahead. On Friday afternoon that one game at a time focus was evident as despite playing a Delaware team with a losing record two days before facing 10th ranked Towson, the Pride showed no signs of overconfidence during a dominating 15-6 win.

Sixteenth ranked Hofstra (10-4, 4-1 in CAA) had nine different scorers and dominated from the get-go against Delaware (5-10, 2-4 in CAA) not allowing a goal for the first 18:13 of the game. The win keeps Hofstra near the top of the CAA standings heading into Sunday’s critical road game at Towson.

“It is a good confidence boost, for us” said Morgan, whose team was coming off a 14-8 road loss to James Madison last Sunday. “Our attack found their flow, found their groove together and that is something we have been talking about all week.”

Hofstra baseball gearing up for key CAA series

As the Hofstra baseball team prepares itself for a critical three-game Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) series with William & Mary this weekend coming off six straight conference losses, the Pride got some confidence Wednesday afternoon with a 12-10 win over Long Island rival Stony Brook. While the pitching was a struggle for much of the game, the Pride bats exploded with 16 hits to rally from a 6-3 deficit one day after beating Army 11-9. 

After the win at University Field head baseball coach Patrick Anderson said he approaches midweek non-conference games with the theme of trying to get his players the necessary experience for CAA action.

“We’re just trying to fill innings and get some experience and hopefully get a win on top of it,” said Anderson, whose team improved to 12-20 with the win over Stony Brook to exceed last year’s win total with 17 games remaining on the schedule. “I just really feel that today’s win and yesterday’s win as well is going to allow us to be able to compete as much as possible going into the conference."

Corrine Gandolfi helps bring Hofstra women's lacrosse to high level

Courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications 

Up until Corrine Gandolfi’s senior year at Northport High School she had visions of playing college basketball but soon realized that lacrosse was her best option at excelling at the highest level of collegiate competition. If Gandolfi had pursued basketball in college it would have most likely been at a Division II school but thanks to her decision to concentrate on lacrosse Hofstra’s senior tri-captain midfielder is playing at the highest level of the sport and is hoping to lead the 17th ranked Pride to the NCAA Tournament.
 
"Lacrosse just had a lot more opportunities for me so I chose that road," said Gandolfi. “I wouldn’t change it for anything else."
 
Hofstra women’s lacrosse head coach Abby Morgan is sure happy at Gandolfi’s decision four years ago as the Northport High School product has been an offensive force since arriving in Hempstead for the 2007 season when she earned All-Colonial Athletic Association accolades and led the Pride to its last conference title and NCAA Tournament berth. After a sophomore year plagued by a knee injury that limited some of her offensive production, Gandolfi exploded as a junior with 45 goals, which earned her First team All-CAA honors and an invite to play for United States Developmental Team.

Hofstra women's lacrosse dominates Old Dominion

A major key to the 16th ranked Hofstra women’s lacrosse team’s success in 2010 has been draw controls with the Pride fifth in the nation at grabbing these crucial possessions entering Sunday’s game against Old Dominion. Hofstra’s success on draws continued against the Monarchs with the Pride dominating this key statistical category 20-6 in a 16-8 home win to improve to 7-3 and 2-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).

Part of Hofstra’s success in being able to gaining processions after goals has been the versatility of being able to deploy multiple players to take draws depending on matchups. Against Old Dominion Hofstra had 10 players win draw controls led by senior attacker Corrine Gandolfi with six.  Morgan credits Hofstra’s success in this category to her assistant coach Tanya Kotowicz, who as a player at Connecticut was second on the Huskies in draw controls during her senior year in 2005.

“She has taught these girls, 'OK this setup against this draw, this is what you do, this is where you put the people on the outside,” said Morgan of Kotowicz. “She is awesome at it.”

Hofstra men's lacrosse wins crucial CAA game over Delaware in first event at New Meadowlands Stadium

Saturday afternoon provided the unique opportunity for the Hofstra men’s lacrosse team to take part in the first event at the New Meadowlands Stadium but more importantly the contest versus Delaware was a must-win Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) game to maintain hopes of reaching the conference playoffs. After dropping its first two CAA games the Pride played with a sense of urgency against Delaware posting a 12-11 win to keep its postseason hopes very much alive with three weeks left in the regular season.

“Hofstra lacrosse lives to see another day with the destiny in their own hands,” said a relieved Hofstra men’s lacrosse head coach Seth Tierney after his team held on for a one goal win after leading 12-8 with less than seven minutes left in the game. “They knew what was on the line and they know what is on the line.”

The win over Delaware moves Hofstra (7-3, 1-2 in CAA) into fourth place in the conference standings with key contests at Penn State next week and home versus Towson on May 1 in the rear view mirror. The top four in the six-team CAA reach the conference playoffs for the right to capture league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, something Hofstra has never failed to achieve.

Hofstra women's lacrosse wins CAA opener over William & Mary

Hofstra women’s lacrosse head coach Abby Morgan made a game time decision in the Pride’s Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opener Friday night to start senior Mary Cuddihy in net over sophomore Jackie Pandolf. The move paid major dividends as Cuddihy recorded seven saves in the first half and nine for the game to help 16th ranked Hofstra (7-3, 1-0 in CAA) build a comfortable lead in route to a 15-7 win over 19th ranked William & Mary (6-5, 0-1 in CAA).

Cuddihy gave up a goal on William & Mary’s first shot 29 seconds into the game but went on to stonewall the Tribe for the next 32:74. “She played really well,” said Morgan.

Despite Cuddihy’s solid play in net Friday night Morgan is not set to name the Manhasset High School product her starter for the CAA season and will continue the competitive goalie battle that has existed thus far in 2010. “We’ll see how [Cuddihy] does tomorrow in practice,” said Morgan. “That is how day to day it is.”

Hofstra men's lacrosse has backs against the wall heading into home stretch of season

Despite the 10th ranked Hofstra men’s lacrosse team’s 18-2 romp of Manhattan College Tuesday night the Pride have their backs pinned against the wall in the home stretch of the season in order to achieve the program's yearly goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament. Last Saturday’s 13-11 loss at Drexel left Hofstra (6-3, 0-2 in Colonial Athletic Association) with no room for a hiccup in the Pride’s final four games that begins this Saturday against Delaware in the opening of the New Meadowlands Stadium in the Big City Classic.

“We know that it is still in our hands right now where if we go 3-2 in the conference  then we are going to be in the conference tournament and we don’t have any room for any error,” said Hofstra men’s lacrosse head coach Seth Tierney in the post game press conference after his team’s blowout win over Manhattan at Shuart Stadium before 1,416 fans. “You can’t go 5-0 in your last five games unless you go 1-0 and we accomplished that tonight and now we have to go 1-0 again on Saturday.”

Hofstra currently sits in last place in the six-team CAA with three conference games remaining and only the top four reaching the playoffs for the right to capture league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Since college lacrosse began playing conference tournaments for automatic bids in 2000 Hofstra has never failed to reach the postseason.

Hofstra softball off to fast start in CAA

One year after its 11-year run of capturing a conference title came to a close the Hofstra softball team is making an early season statement in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play that the beginning of a new streak may soon be around the corner. The Pride completed its second straight weekend conference three-game sweep Saturday with a 2-0 win over George Mason to have first place all to itself in the beginning of the CAA slate.

“Anytime you can win a series it certainly helps your chances to get to the playoffs, anytime you sweep a series now you’re talking about possibly hosting it,” said Hofstra softball head coach Bill Edwards following Hofstra’s 2-0 win over George Mason thanks to a two-run sixth inning single from junior third baseman Sara Michalowski. “When [a sweep] happens it is obviously very, very gratifying.”

New Hofstra men's basketball era underway with hiring of Tim Welsh

 Courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications
Hofstra University's national arboretum campus was in full bloom Thursday on a perfect spring day with hardly a cloud in the sky and temperatures in the 60's. The setting was just as sunny inside David S. Mack Hall when university officials kicked off a new era of Hofstra men's basketball with a press conference unveiling its new head coach Tim Welsh.

There was a feeling of immense optimism inside Mack Hall as the former Providence and Iona head coach was introduced to the Hofstra community for the first time just one week after longtime head coach Tom Pecora accepted a head coaching position at Fordham.  While coaching at the Big East level from 1998-2008 Welsh, 49, led Providence to two NCAA Tournament appearances and developed Ryan Golmes, who now plays for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves . The Massena, N.Y native and 1984 SUNY Potsdam graduate also had success in his three years as head coach at Iona leading the Gaels to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title and NCAA Tournament berth in 1998.

In addition to his 13 years of head coaching experience Welsh also gained valuable knowledge of what it takes to succeed as a college basketball program as an assistant at Syracuse from 1988-1991 under the legendary Jim Boeheim. "It is a great day for Hofstra athletics because this marks our hiring of Tim Welsh, who I truly believe will enable us to move our basketball success to the next level," said Hofstra University president Stuart Rabinowitz during the press conference.

Return of Jay Card aids Hofstra men's lacrosse blowout win over Army

One week after suffering an ankle injury during a 13-4 win at St. John’s, Hofstra junior attackman Jay Card had a triumphant return to the lacrosse field against Army. Card scored five goals and dished out eight assists to lead eighth ranked Hofstra to a 17-2 blowout over Army before a rain soaked crowd of 1,073 at Shuart Stadium.

“It’s a little sore but I give all the credit to our trainer Robert Sullivan,” said Card in the post game press conference of his recovery from last week’s injury. “He did a great job getting me back on the field in less than a week.”

Card’s return to the Hofstra offense came after missing last Saturday’s 11-9 loss at Massachusetts in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opener. Having Card back into the offensive mix is critical for Hofstra (5-2) as it next faces a crucial CAA road game at 11th ranked Drexel on Saturday.

Hofstra women's lacrosse team staying focused after 6-2 start

The Hofstra women’s lacrosse is heading into its final non-conference game at Stanford this Wednesday 6-2 but despite the solid start which has included wins at Cornell and a triumph over then 19th ranked Rutgers, head coach Abby Morgan is not allowing herself to be satisfied.

“I do feel like we’re continuing to improve and we’re moving upwards… but you can’t get to a point where you’re OK, you can’t get to a point where you’re satisfied,” said Morgan. “As soon as you rest on your laurels a little bit you’re going to get beat.”

Hofstra’s two early season losses came by one goal to then eighth ranked Notre Dame 13-12 and fourth ranked Penn 7-6. Had Hofstra pulled off one of those games the Pride would be in prime position for an at large berth to the NCAA playoffs. If Hofstra can win at Stanford this Wednesday the Pride would be back in position for an at-large should it not be able to capture the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title, but Morgan is not allowing her team to think about playoff possibilities as conference season nears.

Pecora leaves behind proud era of Hofstra basketball

 Courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications

The Tom Pecora era at Hofstra drew to a close today when the longtime men's basketball coach accepted the head coaching position at Fordham. While this day is filled with much sadness from many Pride fans it is important to reflect on what Pecora has meant to Hofstra men's basketball and the university as a whole since first arriving in Hempstead 16 years ago.

When Pecora's stint began before the 1994/95 season as Jay Wright's top assistant the then Flying Dutchmen were ranked one of the lowest teams in Division I. Five years later thanks to tireless recruiting by Pecora to land future NBA players Craig "Speedy" Claxton and Norman Richardson, Hofstra made the national spotlight with back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament after capturing America East titles held before packed home crowds on ESPN in 2000 and 2001.

After the Pride's 2001 NCAA run that included a near upset of UCLA in the first round, Wright landed at Big East power Villanova and Pecora was handed the keys to the program that only returned one starter and was about to enter a more challenging conference in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Hofstra was under .500 the first three years of the Pecora era but by the 2004/2005 season the Pride were CAA contenders and made its first of three straight NIT appearances.   

Hofstra softball continues hot play in first home games of 2010

After playing its first 13 games on the road the Hofstra softball team was excited for some home cooking this weekend, especially freshman pitcher Olivia Galati, who attended many Pride games growing up in West Babylon. Galati did not disappoint her many friends and family who flocked to Hofstra Softball Stadium Saturday and Sunday as the St. John the Baptist product tossed 23 strikeouts in victories over Connecticut and Boston University to help the Pride improve to 13-4.

 “It is seriously like a dream come true" said Galati of her Hofstra Softball Stadium debut as a college player. "I’ve been looking to come here and I’ve been coming to games my whole life here and to actually step on the field and say this is my home field is really, really cool."

Galati’s efforts helped the Pride win three of four games in the Hofstra Invitational and remain hot in non-conference play. She earned Sunday’s 2-1 win over BU thanks to a walk-off home run from junior third baseman Sarah Michalowski in the bottom of the seventh after Michele DePasquale tied it in the sixth with an RBI double. Coming into the Hofstra Invitational the Pride were ranked 23rd in the Ultimate College Softball  top 25 poll after achieving several impressive wins at tournaments in Tampa, Fla, Columbus, Ga. and Louisville, Ky.

Hofstra men's lacrosse continues winning ways over Sacred Heart

Coming off an impressive 14-6 win over seventh-ranked Johns Hopkins last week the Hofstra men’s lacrosse came into Saturday afternoon’s home game with Sacred Heart focused on not looking past the Pioneers, who were 1-4 after a 17-7 loss to a first year Jacksonville program. Last year in similar circumstances Hofstra defeated third-ranked Princeton 9-7 but the following week squeaked by Sacred Heart 6-5 and head coach Seth Tierney tried to implore to his players how tough a game the Pioneers would bring to Shuart Stadium. 

Despite Coach Tierney’s message to take Sacred Heart seriously the Pride found themselves trailing 4-3 early in the second quarter before waking up with a 6-0 run to pull away for a 14-6 win. Sixth ranked Hofstra (3-1) has now won three in a row at home after dropping its season opener at Princeton 17-14.

“This is Division I lacrosse and if you don’t bring it everyday it is just not going to work for you,” said Tierney in the post game press conference of how strong of a team Sacred Heart is despite its 1-5 record. “They are a very well coached team.”

The win before 1,502 fans on a beautiful first day of spring at Shuart Stadium keeps Hofstra’s perfect record (9-0) intact against Sacred Heart but not before some barn burners over the years including a 10-9 overtime triumph in 2003 two days after the Pride had defeated seventh- ranked Syracuse.

Hofstra men's basketball season ends with first round CBI loss to IUPUI

Hofstra’s hot end to the 2009/2010 regular season that included winning 10 of 11 games before dropping a double overtime heartbreaker to Northeastern in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) quarterfinals fizzled Wednesday night in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) against IUPUI. The Pride were never able to recover from falling into an early 21-2 hole and saw its season end with a 74-60 loss in its first ever CBI game held before a tiny crowd of 952 fans at the Mack Sports Complex.

“I don’t know if we’ve ever come out that flat in all my time here,” said ninth year Hofstra men’s basketball head coach Tom Pecora. “Once the momentum is going in the other direction it’s hard to get it to stop.”

IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) held momentum for nearly the entire game with Hofstra (19-15) never getting any closer than six while shooting 36-percent including 2-19 from three-point range. The Pride were without the services of junior power forward Greg Washington due to an ankle injury.

IUPUI’s win over Hofstra moves the Jaguars onto the CBI quarterfinals to face Princeton on Monday March 22.

Hofstra baseball has positive outlook heading into home opener despite slow start

Despite an 0-9 start that has featured some close losses against stiff competition, the Hofstra baseball team has a positive mindset heading into its home opener against New York Tech at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

"We've been going through practice paying attention to detail with every little thing we have done," said second year Hofstra baseball head coach Patrick Anderson. "These kids are really hungry."

Hofstra's early schedule featured three game sweeps at second-ranked Florida State, Maryland and Troy University. Hofstra held leads in the fourth inning in three of those nine losses.

The New York Tech game was added to the schedule after the Pride had a three games in the Philadelphia area rained out last weekend against Villanova, Temple and St. Joseph's. "When we lose games we want to be able to pick up some games and prepare ourselves and play as much as possible," said Anderson.

Fans who attend Thursday afternoon's home opener at University Field will notice construction of a new grandstand that is expected to be completed in the next month. The new grandstand is scheduled to be officially dedicated on Sunday April 18 just prior to Hofstra's game against Virginia Commonwealth.

"The upgrade and the facelift is just going to help all the way around with the atmosphere," said Anderson. "It is going to look really nice."

Hofstra will continue its stretch of home games this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday against Fairfield starting at Noon both days. The Pride's Colonial Athletic Association opener is scheduled for April 2 at Northeastern.

Hofstra men's lacrosse wins convincingly over seventh ranked Johns Hopkins

In the Hofstra men’s lacrosse team's first two games against Princeton and Brown the Pride gave up a combined 29 goals leaving an unhappy taste in the mouth of head coach Seth Tierney.  Saturday night against seventh-ranked Johns Hopkins however saw a major defensive turnaround with the Pride holding the Blue Jays to only two goals in the first half in route to a dominant 14-6 victory at a rain-soaked Shuart Stadium.

“Sometimes you’ve got to skin your knee to know that it hurts when you fall and the first two games weren’t happy,” said Tierney in the post game press conference in reference to his team’s first two games that featured a 17-14 loss at Princeton and 15-12 home win over Brown. “[Against Johns Hopkins] we were locked in.”

Tenth ranked Hofstra (2-1) outshot Johns Hopkins (4-2)  34-19, forced 16 turnovers and five failed clears in the game played during tropical storm force winds and heavy rain before 1,245 fans. The winds were so heavy at the beginning of the game that it caused a power failure with the Shuart Stadium lights and a 14 minute delay in the first quarter with Hofstra leading 3-1. It was the third Hofstra-Johns Hopkins meeting at Shuart Stadium in the last 10 years where inclement weather impacted the game with the others coming in 2000 and 2008.

Hofstra to host 2011 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals

The NCAA announced today that Hofstra University's Shuart Stadium has been selected as one of two sites that will be hosting the 2011 Division I Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals on Saturday May 21, 2011. This is outstanding news for Hofstra as well as the men's lacrosse program, which will have a team loaded with talent next year that will have a solid chance at playing on its home field for a shot to advance to the Final Four. On May 16, 2009 Hofstra hosted the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 after the administration was able to work out a logistical plan to hold the Spring graduation later in the afternoon the next day that same weekend. Hofstra previously hosted the quarterfinals from 1997-1999 and 2001-2002 and three times has drawn over 10,000 fans for  the event. Hofstra athletic director Jack Hayes and president Stuart Rabinowitz should be applauded for their commitment to returning this great college lacrosse event back to Hempstead on a regular basis.

Hofstra women's basketball team's upcoming CAA Tourney has special meaning for Nicole Capurso

Courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications

The Hofstra women’s basketball team is preparing for its first round Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament game against William & Mary this Thursday, an event that will have a particular special meaning to sophomore guard Nicole Capurso, who was forced to miss last year’s postseason with a torn meniscus.

Last year Hofstra also matched up against William & Mary in its opening CAA tourney game and Capurso could only watch from the bench as the Pride let a lead 10 point lead slip away in a 63-62 loss in which the Tribe scored the game’s final 11 points. 

"It’s a do-over for our team so we’re going to take full advantage of that,” said Capurso of the Pride being matched against William & Mary for the second year in a row in the CAA Tournament first round. “We feel last year we didn’t give our best in the CAA Tournament and this year we can come back and do what we know we can do against William & Mary.”

Hofstra (18-12, 11-7 in the CAA) enters the postseason winners of eight of 10 but is coming off a 59-41 loss at Delaware that denied the Pride a chance of a first round bye and instead set them up as the number six seed.  “This is just one more hurdle we have to jump,” said Capurso of the Pride having to win four games rather than three to obtain the program’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament. 

New starting goalie helps Hofstra men's lacrosse beat Brown in home opener

One of the major uncertainties coming into the 2010 Hofstra men’s lacrosse season was who would start in goal and that question may have been answered in the Pride’s second game on Saturday afternoon against 19th-ranked Brown. In his first career start freshman Rob Bellairs posted seven saves to help 12th ranked Hofstra (1-1) to a 15-12 win over Brown (0-1) and head coach Seth Tierney is planning to start the Plainedge High School product in next week’s big matchup against Johns Hopkins.

“He earned the starting job in our coaching staff’s eyes,” said Tierney in the post game press conference following Hofstra’s home opener win over Brown before 2,234 fans at Shuart Stadium. “Barring anything crazy that happens this week Rob Bellairs will start against Hopkins.”

Bellairs, who earned All American honors his senior year of high school, has won the right to start in net early in the 2010 season over sophomore Andrew Gvozden, who as a freshman posted an 8.38 goals against average in 13 games. Against Brown Bellairs made some key early saves to help hold the Bears to only three goals in the first half.

Hofstra softball's hot start getting national attention

In its opening two weekends of the 2010 season the Hofstra softball program has made quite a splash on a national level. Against top-level competition at two tournaments in Florida and Georgia the Pride are off to 9-1 start that has catapulted them to 25th in the latest Ultimate College Softball top 25 poll.

Hofstra's hot start featured wins over North Dakota State, North Carolina State, Michigan State, Wright State, South Florida, Virginia Tech, Kent State and Mississippi State. The only loss came to 22nd ranked Florida State. The 9-1 start matches program's best since 1994, when Hofstra finished the season ranked 20th in the nation after going 39-16 but were snubbed of an NCAA Tournament bid.

Hofstra's nine wins have featured several close games with six of its nine victories coming by one run. "The big thing is that we are playing clutch," said Hofstra softball head coach Bill Edwards of his team's 9-1 start. "We're on a roll."