Stony Brook’s three game win streak was snapped against #20 Hofstra (14-13) in front of a record- setting crowd on Senior Night.

5,723 fans watched the men’s lacrosse team mount a comeback that fell short against Long Island rival Hofstra.

“It was a great environment to play lacrosse in,” said Stony Brook Head Coach Rick Sowell. “You couldn’t have asked for a better night or a better crowd.”

Senior Bo Tripodi, echoed his statements: “You can’t ask for a better last home game.”

The Seawolves jumped on top early in the first quarter when Senior Bobby Trenkle was able to get inside on the defense with a strong move. Trenkle finished with two goals and three assists. Hofstra came back and scored the next two goals to take the lead. The next three goals would come in a span of 20 seconds. Tripodi evened it up at two, but the Pride scored the next two to take the lead 4-2.

Stony Brook started the quarter off the same way they started the game, with a goal by Trenkle. Four minutes later, Senior Ryan Hughes was assisted by Bo Tripodi to hit the top corner to record his 15th of the year on a man up opportunity. Hofstra added two more sandwiched around a Stony Brook goal by Sophomore Josh Eustice, his third of the year. With 18 seconds left in the half, Freshman Kevin Crowley tied it up at six on a nice move past a defender.

The see-saw scoring continued into the second half. The Seawolves saw their largest lead of the game at two with back to back goals by Senior Owen Adams and Crowley. Hofstra responded with two of their own, followed by more exchanges of goals. Goal scorers included McBride, Tripodi, and Adams. The Seawolves were only able to get five shots in the quarter, scoring on all five.

Hofstra jumped on top early in the fourth, taking a three goal lead. McBride answered back under two minutes later with a good hard shot to the pull the Seawolves within two, 14-12. The score stayed that way the majority of the fourth quarter. With 3:10 left in the game, Camposa made his best save of the night with a quick out let pass to a teammate, but Hofstra’s Anthony Muscarella, who also scored six goals, forced a turnover, killing the Seawolves momentum.

The Seawolves did get another chance, however. With 1:35 to play, Tripodi found the back of the cage to pull the Seawolves within one. After Adam Rand inability to win the face-off, Stony Brook’s Nick Maturro laid a bone crunching hit on a Hofstra player crossing the middle of the field that jarred the ball loose. However, the officials ruled it was an illegal body check and Matturo was sent off, allowing Hofstra to regain possession of the ball and run out the clock. Coach Sowell chose not to comment about the hit until seeing the tape of the game.

Hofstra had 57 total shots in the game, including 16 in the first quarter, and 27 in the second half. Stony Brook could only get 27 shots off, 16 of which were on goal. “We played a lot of defense in this game,” Sowell said. “We gave up 14 goals, but it could have been worse.”

“This is a great team, they sold out until the final minute,” Hofstra coach Seth Tierney said in reference to Stony Brook. “The America East better watch out, those guys can sling it.”

Coach Sowell attributed the loss partly to their inability to win face-offs and their number of turnovers; “Its tough always starting on defense, it wears you down,” he said.

However, the coach was extremely proud of his players drive and determination, “My team doesn’t know the word quit.”

The Seawolves will look to get back on the winning track and prepare for the America East tournament on Saturday when they travel to Albany. Coach Sowell sees his team ready to bounce back with a strong showing in the postseason. “Don’t stick a fork in us yet,” he said. We’re going to show up and play.”

The Great Danes are 5-7 overall, but 3-1 in the America East. “We owe them something,” Sowell said. “They got us pretty good last year.” Last year, Albany beat up on Stony Brook 17-5. After Saturday’s game the teams will square off again in the semi-finals of the conference tournament.

Additional reporting was done by Carl Carrie and Gene Morris.