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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Hofstra
Players Mentioned
Hofstra Hands No. 3 Princeton First Loss
March 14, 2009 | Men's Lacrosse
The Princeton men's lacrosse team knew its game against the goalie named Gvozden would be tough this year. The Tigers just didn't know which one.
Two weeks after Princeton exploded past Johns Hopkins goalie Michael Gvozden, the Tigers were stymied by his brother Andrew, who has surprisingly taken over the starting spot in goal for Hofstra. Andrew Gvozden made nine saves and was strongest as the Pride built a huge lead before holding off the Tigers 9-7 in front of 3,472 at Shuart Stadium.
The loss was third-ranked Princeton's first after a 4-0 start, while Hofstra (ranked 12th in the coaches' poll and 11th in the media poll) improved to 3-1.
"My brother told me to stay calm," said Gvozden. "He told me to make the first save and that everything would be okay after that."
Princeton defeated Hopkins 14-8 two weeks ago and built a 9-1 lead against the veteran Michael Gvozden. A week ago, the Gvozdens went head-to-head as Hopkins defeated Hofstra 12-7 in Andrew's debut in place of three-year starter Danny Orlando, who took an academic leave-of-absence for the remainder of the spring semester due to family and personal issues.
This time, the younger Gvozden did make the first save and then seven more as the Pride built a 7-1 lead in the third quarter. The Tigers would rally, scoring six of the final eight goals of the day and three times getting as close as two, but Princeton could never get any closer.
The two best chances for Princeton came after Rich Sgalardi made it 7-5 with 11:22 left, but Steve DeNapoli, a shortstick mddie who was great all day for Hofstra, scored seven seconds later after taking the ground ball on the face-off.
Princeton answered with a Chris McBride goal with 9:20 to play, and Princeton had a one-mniute extra man opportunity after killing a man-down situation and then having an illegal body check called against Jay Card after a great defensive play by the Tigers' Jimmy Davis caused a turnover.
Princeton could not get a shot off on the extra-man situation before turning it over, and Anthony Muscarella scored his third goal of the day 25 seconds later to make it 9-6.
With those two chances gone, Princeton did score with 1:24 to play, but the Tigers would get no closer.
Princeton, averaging more than 50 shots per game, was held to 33 for the game and 14 for the first half. Tyler Fiorito started and made six saves for Princeton while allowing five first-half goals. Nikhil Ashra played the second half in goal for the Tigers.
Jack McBride had a two goals and an assist for Princeton. Both of his goals came in the third quarter to start the Tiger rally.
"You have to give all the credit to Hofstra and its coaches and players," said Princeton coach Bill Tierney, whose team hosts Albany Friday at 3. "They were clearly the better team today."
Hofstra is coached by Seth Tierney, the son of Bill's older brother Tommy. Bill had defeated Seth in the first two meetings between the two.
While waiting to go into the interview room, Bill was approached by Erin Tierney, Seth's daughter, who jumped into her uncle's arms. It was some consolation after a long day.
"This is bigger than being about me and him," Bill said. "It's about the 90 young men on both teams who play their hearts out. But I'm proud of him. If part of my legacy can be him and the success he's going to have for a long time as a coach, long after I'm gone, then good for me."