When Hofstra Head Lacrosse Coach Seth Tierney took the reins of the program last season he knew that, with just one starter returning, the young Pride would be in a rebuilding phase. While last year's 6-8 record, which included seven losses by just one goal, was much better than many expected, the close battles of 2007 have given rise to an enthusiasm entering the 2008 season.

While this year's Pride will be a year older and wiser than in 2007, Tierney still labels his squad young with only seven seniors on the roster. But, with eight starters and 27 players returning from last year's team and a growing number of young, talented players Hofstra, will be looking to make a run at the Colonial Athletic Association title and a return to the NCAA Championship Tournament.

ATTACK

The Hofstra attack returns two of their three starters from a year ago in junior Tom Dooley and sophomore Dan Stein. Dooley, an All-CAA second team selection in 2007, led the Pride in scoring with 28 points on 26 goals and two assists. "Tommy is the elder statesman on attack," Tierney says. "We look for him to quarterback the front line and bring some of our younger guys along." Stein tallied 14 goals and four assists as a freshman and was named to the CAA All-Rookie team. "Danny had a nice rookie season and has worked hard in the off-season to get bigger and stronger," Tierney states. "We expect better things from him in 2008." There will be a three-way battle for the third spot on the attack or it will be filled by committee by sophomore Tyler Brant and freshmen Jay Card and Kevin Ford. Brant, who saw limited time as a freshman, worked hard during the off-season and showed flashes that he could handle the job. Card, who was named to the Canadian Under-19 National Team in the fall, and Ford, a native Long Islander who tallied 66 goals and 29 assists as a senior at Floral Park High School, both have big shots and know how to get to the goal.

MIDFIELD

The midfield area is not exempt from the youth movement as well, as senior quad-captain Michael Unterstein is the only senior offensive player at the position. The Face-Off Yearbook 2008 Preseason All-America honorable mention and All-CAA second team selection, led the team in assists with 18 while adding seven goals in 2007. "Michael is a very versatile player who we will be looking to as a leader," Tierney states. "He has worked hard, in the off-season, on his shooting and we look for him to have a great senior year."

Juniors Michael Colleluori and Anthony Muscarella ran on the first midfield with Unterstein last season and in the fall, and present a potent line. Colleluori was second on the team in goals with 14 and fourth in points with 19 in 2007, while Muscarella added 12 goals. "Both had good seasons a year ago in difficult circumstances with a new coach, a new system and the loss of Michael's brother, Nick," Tierney says. "We look for both to be more consistent as juniors."

Sophomore Tom Interlicchio, who is returning after a knee injury during the summer sidelined him for the entire fall, tallied 14 goals and three assists as a freshman and should also battle for a spot on the first midfield. The one of the four that doesn't run with that line will be joined on the second midfield by the California Connection of junior Ryan Carter and sophomore Jordan Rosen, or freshman Stephen Bentz. Carter, who tallied two goals in 2006 and two assists in 2007, is the most experienced of the three with 25 games under his belt during the first two years of his Hofstra career. Rosen, a San Francisco native and a graduate of St. Ignatius in the trolley city like Carter, saw limited action as a freshman. Bentz, who posted 31 goals and 31 assists as a senior at Massapequa (NY) High School, was a two-time All-Nassau County selection and helped the Chiefs to two county titles. The fourth or fifth men on attack could also drop back to create a potent hybrid line at midfield.

The defensive midfield group, while young, still has some experience. The short-stick middie spot is led by senior quad-captain and Face-Off Yearbook Preseason All-American selection Kevin Unterstein. The 2007 All-American honorable mention and second team All-CAA pick led the team in ground balls with 54, took face-offs and was a defensive leader on the field. "In my opinion Kevin Unterstein is one of the finest players in the country," Tierney says. "He is a leader on and off the field, and we look for great things from him this season." The other short-stick spot will be a battle between freshmen Steven DeNapoli, a scholastic All-American from Hewlett (NY) High School, and Matt Zaffuto, a All-America honorable mention and a two-time All-Nassau County pick from Carey High School in Franklin Square, New York, senior transfer Erick Jarry, who was a member of four Suffolk County championship teams at Shoreham-Wading River High School, and 6'5" senior Collin Stabler.

The two long-stick middies are expected to be junior Steve Prifte, who played in 14 games and tallied 21 ground balls last year after playing with the short-stick in 2006, and freshman Adam Mojica, a first team All-American selection from Springfield (PA) High School. Junior Tom Shuey, who played in eight games last season, as well as Stabler, who could play at short-stick or pole, will also challenge for playing time.

DEFENSE

The Pride's 2007 starting defense took a hit with the graduation of Julian Watts and John Gorman, leaving junior quad captain Adam Swarsen as the lone returning, full-time starter from a year ago. Swarsen, whose season is in doubt with a knee injury, was second on the team in ground balls with 38 in 2007 and will anchor a line that does have some experience. Senior Connor Hagans, who played in all 14 games, while starting nine contests last year, picked up 26 ground balls and is in the best shape of his career for 2008. Senior quad-captain Jack Vivonetto, who has struggled with injuries during his Pride career, is also healthy heading into the season for the first time. Junior Ryan Smith, a transfer from junior college powerhouse Herkimer Community College, came to Hofstra before the 2007 season but did not play last year. Freshman Michael Skudin, 6'2", two-time All-Nassau County selection from Long Beach (NY) High School, could also challenge for a starting role on the back line. "All five have done a great job in the fall to fight for playing time and the starting role," Tierney stated. "We will see what combination has the right chemistry during the preseason and go from there." In addition, senior Ryan McPherson and junior Pat Watson will also look to crack the line-up.

GOAL

Sophomore goalie Danny Orlando, who posted a 7.21 goals against average last season, showed All-American abilities and will be the final line of defense for the Pride. The CAA All-Rookie Team selection had a solid freshman season but will be asked to step up in 2008 and assume a role of a team leader as well. Junior Brian Schneider, who appeared in two games last season, proved to the staff that he can be a capable back-up to Orlando when called upon.

SCHEDULE

The Pride, who enter the season ranked 17th in the 2008 USILA Division I Preseason Poll, have six home games in 2008 on the new FieldTurf at James M. Shuart Stadium. The Blue Jays of Johns Hopkins University, the defending national champions, return to Long Island, as do CAA-rival Towson and the Black Knights of Army for early season match-ups. After their run to the NCAA Tournament semifinals in 2007, the Pride's April home game against CAA-foe Delaware will take on a renewed intensity. On the road Hofstra will travel to rival Massachusetts to open the season in February, perennial national contender Princeton in March, and North Carolina and Long Island-rival Stony Brook in April. Princeton and North Carolina were NCAA Tournament teams in 2007.

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