Dragons Come From Behind to Defeat Hofstra, 13-12, Clinch CAA Berth

Saturday, April 20

Hempstead, N.Y.

2 p.m.

Drexel University

6-6, 2-2

Hofstra

4-9, 1-3

Drexel

Hofstra

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Dragons Come From Behind to Defeat Hofstra, 13-12, Clinch CAA Berth

4/20/2019 4:24:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. –Matt Varian and Reid Bowering combined to score five goals in the fourth quarter as Drexel rallied from a three-goal deficit to defeat Hofstra, 13-12, at Shuart Stadium. The win, combined with the UMass victory over Fairfield, gave Drexel a berth in the upcoming Colonial Athletic Association tournament. It was the fourth straight regular season win for the Dragons (6-6, 2-2 CAA) at Hofstra, all coming by just one goal.

The Pride (4-9, 1-3 CAA) led by three entering the final period after scoring twice in the last 1:22 of the quarter. Varian scored three straight goals in a span of just under two minutes to tie the game with 12:51 to play. The first goal came on the man-up as Chris McLallen found him on the crease. The next two goals were patented moves by the junior. He came from behind the net twice, and both times, scored from in close.

The Dragons, who were tied or trailed for the first three and a half quarter, finally took the lead midway through the fourth. Varian, who had six points, fed Bowering from behind the net, and the junior caught and finished for his third goal of the game, putting Drexel up 12-11. Bowering was at it again with just under five minutes to play. He dodged a defender and scored on a dive with 4:57 to go to make it a two-goal game. That goal was the 40^th of the season for Bowering. He became just the ninth Dragon to ever score 40 or more goals in a season. Bowering also added two assists for six points.

The Pride would get to within a goal 38 seconds later when Joey Elarde converted a feed from Ryan Tierney, making it 13-12. That would be the final score of the game. Hofstra had a few chances to tie the game late, the biggest coming with 2:20 to go. Hofstra keeper Robert Casey made a save on Marshal King and started a fast break. The Pride's Bryce Tolmie fired a rocket towards the top corner from about 10 yards out, but Ross Blumenthal thwarted the attempt with a huge save. The Dragons were able to run the clock down and Hofstra had a turnover late and the Dragons escaped Long Island with the win.

Blumenthal had one of his best games as a Dragon. The freshman came up with a career-high 15 saves. Drexel's man-up offense continued its stellar play. The Dragons scored seven times on nine man-up attempts, the most they have scored in a game since joining the CAA. Bowering, King and Varian each had two scores on the man-up, with Matt Soran adding the other. King had three assists to go with those goals.

Jimmeh Koita had another solid game on the face-off unit for Drexel. The junior won 15 of his 26 attempts, and was 4-for-5 in the fourth quarter. He also had a game-high eight ground balls.

Ryan Tierney had a big game for the Pride. He scored five times and handed out three assists. Elarde added a hat trick and an assist. Casey made 13 saves in a losing cause for the Pride.

The Dragons close the regular season next Saturday against Towson. It will be Senior Day at Vidas Field with face-off set for noon.