HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse didn't have any answers for Hofstra's dominant offense in its season opener on Saturday. Despite controlling the faceoff circle, the Pioneers fell, 21-9. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 0-1
Hofstra: 2-0

Top Performers:
Jake Garb: 2 goals, 2 assists
Morgan O'Reilly: 2 goals, 1 assist
Jake Ward: 2 goals
 
Goalkeepers:
Mac Gates (HOF): W, 2-0; 6 saves, 8 goals
Sean Henderson (HOF): 2 saves, 1 goal
Nicky LaBanca (SHU): L, 0-1; 4 saves, 7 goals
Alex Pazienza (SHU): 9 saves, 14 goals
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers continue on the road when they head to Lafayette on Saturday at 1 p.m. 
 
Of Note:
In the first five minutes, Hofstra netted three unanswered goals before sophomore Moran O'Reilly put SHU on the board with 9:51 remaining in the quarter. The Pride went on to score five more before the end of the first frame to grow their cushion, but goalkeeper Alex Pazienza launched the ball up the field to Jake Garb who just beat the buzzer and brought the score to 8-2. 
 
Ryan Stout and Garb netted SHU's two goals in the second quarter, but the Pioneers went into the halftime break down, 11-4. The Pioneers were outshot, 24-15, in the first half.
 
The two teams traded goals to start the second half thanks to Sal Miccio, but Hofstra poured in six-straight to close out the corner and grow a 14-point lead, 19-5. 
 
The Pioneers finished the game strong with a 3-0 run to start the fourth quarter with goals from Alex Weiss, Jake Ward and O'Reilly. The Red & White outscored Hofstra, 4-1, when Ward added one last goal in the final minute of play. 
 
The Pride caused 14 of SHU's 29 turnovers and outshot the Pioneers, 42-32. 
 
Senior Daniel Rodriguez controlled the faceoff circle, winning 21-of-32 attempts. Rodriguez participated in all but one faceoff for the Pioneers during the game.