Syracuse University
#15 Hofstra
Men's Lacrosse Loses to Hofstra, 8-6
4/17/2003 11:00:29 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Jim Femminella scored four goals as No. 15-ranked Hofstra became the second men's lacrosse team to upset defending national champion Syracuse in less than a week. The Pride won an 8-6 decision at Shuart Stadium, despite 14 saves by SU goalie Jay Pfeifer (Towson, Md./Gilman). The Hofstra defense held No. 7-ranked Syracuse (7-4) scoreless for more than 24 minutes in the second half.
For the Orangemen, it marked the fewest goals scored since a 10-3 loss at North Carolina on March 9, 1991. It is also the first time they have registered back-to-back losses since 1995. Rutgers defeated the Orangemen, 12-11, in overtime on April 12.
The two teams played to a 1-1 tie in the first quarter. Femminella tallied the game's first goal just 49 seconds into the contest. Freshman midfielder Greg Rommel (Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger) put SU on the scoreboard at the 6:58 mark.
SU took a 3-1 lead following second-quarter goals by midfielders Steve Vallone (Corning, N.Y./Corning East) and Bill Perritt (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem). Chris Unterstein and Tim Treubig registered the next two goals for Hofstra to tie the game at 3-3 at the 8:14 mark of the second period.
Femminella recorded his second goal off an assist from Jeremy Kyrkostas with 3:09 remaining in the second quarter. SU senior attackman Liam Banks (Setauket, N.Y./Ward Melville) tied the contest at 4-4 a little more than a minute later. That would be the last time the Orangemen would score until the 6:17 mark of the fourth quarter. Hofstra's Mike Morrison found Mike Allain for the go-ahead goal with 2:11 remaining in the first half.
Syracuse went 11 minutes without a shot in the third quarter. Turnovers plagued the Orangemen. Ryan Miller scored the only goal of the period, off an assist from Ryan Lucas, at the 7:49 mark. Hofstra led, 6-4, going into the final 15 minutes.
Femminella notched two goals in the fourth quarter. His fourth score was set up by John Keysor and gave the Pride an 8-4 advantage, their largest of the night, at 6:59.
Vallone finally broke the Orange drought when he converted a Brian Crockett (Yorktown, N.Y./Yorktown) pass into a goal with 6:17 remaining in the contest. Senior attackman Michael Springer (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) pulled SU to within two (8-6) with his first goal of the game with 53 seconds left on the clock. The Orangemen won the ensuing faceoff, but only got one shot off during the remaining seconds of the game.
Syracuse has two tough road games left, beginning with a trip to Amherst, Massachusetts for an April 26th meeting against the No. 6-ranked Minutemen. Faceoff is set for 1 p.m. at Garber Field. On May 3, the Orangemen will play at Georgetown against the third-ranked Hoyas.
Hofstra improved its record to 7-4.
Hofstra 8, Syracuse 6
Syracuse 1-3-0-2=6
Hofstra 1-4-1-2=8
Syracuse Goals: Steve Vallone 2, Michael Springer 1, Liam Banks 1, Greg Rommel 1, Bill Perritt 1.
Syracuse Assists: Brian Crockett 1, Michael Powell 1.
Hofstra Goals: Jim Femminella 4, Chris Unterstein 1, Tim Treubig 1, Mike Allain 1, Ryan Miller 1.
Hofstra Assists: John Keysor 1, Jeremy Kyrkostas 1, Ryan Lucas 1, Mike Morrison 1, Chris Unterstein 1.
Shots: Hofstra 37, Syracuse 36
Groundballs: Hofstra 46, Syracuse 39
Faceoffs: Syracuse 12-18, Hofstra 6-18
Clears: Syracuse 20-28, Hofstra 21-28
Extra-Man: Syracuse 0-4, Hofstra 0-4
Penalties: Syracuse 4/4:00, Hofstra 4/3:30
Saves: Syracuse 14 (Jay Pfeifer), Hofstra 11 (Matthew Southard)
Attendance: 4,027
