The Game
The Flying Dutchmen do it again! One week after being down four to UMass, the Hofstra men’s lacrosse team once again dug themselves into what seemed like an insurmountable deficit. Down seven goals against Brown with just over 20 minutes left to play and seemingly with all hope of the first 2-0 start since 1997 gone, Coach Tierney gathered the team during a timeout and delivered one simple message: Relax and just make the next play. Dont worry about the score and just go out and play Hofstra Lacrosse.
Mike Colleluori had a career day against Brown (John Mecionis)
It was a message that resonated throughout the Hofstra huddle and before you know it, a 10-3 deficit had turned into 10-5 by the end of the third quarter. Shortly into the fourth quarter, it was 10-7, then with just over two minutes left, it was 10-9 and another potential miracle comeback was in sight. With 1:02 left in the game, Anthony Muscarella scored the game-tying goal that ultimately would push the game into two extra periods. And who else but Jay Card would score the game winner off a jump shot with just 19 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
The Dutchmen played perhaps the worst first 40 minutes in Hofstra lacrosse history and then followed that up with perhaps the best fourth quarter in Hofstra history. Tim Holman and Steven Denapoli were tenacious on defense causing turnovers all over the field. Joe Montemurro had another spectacular fourth quarter at the faceoff x and Steve Prifte and Christian Scuderi were phenomenal on the wings. Tom Dooley had ice water running through his veins as he settled the offense down late in the game and led the comeback. Mike Collelouri had the best game of his career and Jay Card once again garnered all the headlines as he scored another game winner and his fourth goal of the day in the second overtime.
The theme all day was, Worry about ourselves. Worry about Hofstra. Play our game and the rest will take care of itself. One thing is true about the 2009 Flying Dutchmen: Never count them out.
Next Saturday, we head down to Homewood Field to play the Blue Jays in what should be another exciting contest.
The Bus Ride to Brown
We left Hofstra around 2pm Friday afternoon for Brown with the hopes of returning Saturday night with Hofstras first 2-0 start since 1997. The movie selection for the ride up was the Italian Job. It was a pretty good movie.
Some of the notable bus seat pairings consisted of Brian Schneider-Tom Dooley( bus partners for 3 years running), Ryan Smith-Tim Holman(Holman is filling in the one and only Nick Papa Bear Gunn who is perhaps the greatest cameraman in Hofstra history), Steve Prifte-Mike Collelouri, Keith Prifte-Ryan Carter, Adam Swarsen-Tom Shuey, Anthony Muscarella-Coach Debolt. These parings consist of all seniors except for Mr. Holman and naturally, these pairings consist of the back 3 rows of the bus.
We finally arrived at Brown around 5:30pm and practiced under the lights on one of their practice fields. Afterwards, we all had dinner in downtown Providence before heading back to the hotel. We had a team meeting around 9pm and went over our Brown scouting report and then we were on our own for the rest of the night. Shortly thereafter, a small group of notable team legends gathered in Tim Holmans room to watch Talladega Nights and eat ice cream sundaes. This group naturally consisted of Captain Tom Dooley, Ryan Smith, Brian Schneider, Joe Montemurro, and Captain Adam Swarsen.
Notable Books Read on Bus by Hofstra Lacrosse Team:
Mike Skudin- Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell
Adam Swarsen- Kill Bin Laden by Dalton Fury
Brian Schneider- Party of Defeat by David Horowitz and Ben Johnson
Steve Prifte- The Secret History of the American Empire by John Perkins
Jack Vivonetto- Down Range: Navy SEALs in the War on Terrorism by Dick Couch
The Bus Ride Home
The bus ride home saw a Hofstra Lacrosse tradition die.
After the first road victory of the season, Hofstra freshman tell jokes. Winners of this prestigious event are determined by applause. However, due to an executive decision by Coach Amplo - much to everybody’s dissapointment - no jokes were told and sadly a tradition died with the 2009 Dutchmen. Luckily, we watched Body of Lies on the ride home, which was an absolutely phenomenal movie. Leo DiCaprio is continuing his rise in coolness ever since his career low point of Titanic. He made a strong case for himself with The Departed and Blood Diamond just over a year ago and I’m glad to see his career on the upswing. We arrived back at Hofstra around 7pm, unpacked our equipment bags, and had one last team meeting to discuss the big Brown win before everyone headed home.
Ten Question Interview with Goalie Dan Orlando:
Can't imagine what Orlando likes about Katy Perry
Q: What television show do you never miss?
A: I dont really watch much TV, but I dig the show True Blood.
Q: Who is your hero?
A: Conor Oberst, singer/songwriter. Hes a musical genius.
Q: If you could switch shoes with anyone of the Hofstra lacrosse team, who would it be and why?
A: Joe Montemurro. He gets to just hang, take some face-offs, and then hang out some more. Total Bro Status
Q: What is your cell phone ring tone right now?
A: D.R.E.A.M. by the Transplants, because that song is straight poppin.
Q: Who would play you in a movie?
A: Vin Diesel. Pretty self explanatory.
Q: If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
A: Record producer and/or record label owner
Q: If you could marry any one person, who would it be?
A: Katy Perry. Something about her gets me every time.
Q: If you could change anything at Hofstra, what would it be?
A: Make it cheaper. Everything is so expensive
Q: If you won the lottery, what are the first three things that you would do?
A: 1) Buy a drum set and a nice sound proof studio. 2) Take all my friends out and pick up the tab. 3) Buy a car that actually works, because Ive never had one of those before.
Other Team News
Sophomore defensemen Adam Mojica celebrated his 20th birthday last week. So from my family to you, Happy Birthday Mojo.
Hofstra Captain Tom Dooley and yours truly are finalizing plans for Eurotrip 09. We sat down Saturday morning with Hofstra Lacrosse academic adviser Rachel Peel, a former Olympian for England, to discuss which hot spots we should hit in our tour of Europe, what are some good places to stay, some good sights to see. We have a loose itinerary that calls for visits to England, Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, Switzerland, Rome, Spain, and Portugal. Rachel gave us some extremely valuable information and along with fellow Hofstra lacrosse player and fellow Marylander Tyler Brants’ parents (travel agents) help, Eurotrip 09 is looking extremely promising.
Till next week, keep your head to the grindstone and God Bless America!
No comments:
Post a Comment