Gvozden has eight saves in Hofstra win
Hofstra's goalie Andrew Gvozden works against Air Force players Mike Crampton and Tommy McKee outside net during men's Lacrosse game between Hofstra and Air Force. (March 13, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
There have been times this season when Hofstra's Andrew Gvozden has allowed a goal, turned to scoop the ball out of his cage and not really known what just happened. Other times, when the Pride offense is working at the opposite end of the field, his mind will wander and he'll start thinking about anything but lacrosse.
A goalie needs to be focused at all times. But when he has severe attention deficit disorder, as Gvozden said he does, it can be almost impossible to stay locked in on the action during a 60-minute game.
"It's the worst," he said Sunday after what might have been his best game of the season, an eight-save effort in Hofstra's 11-6 win over Air Force. "I sit on the field and I'm watching and watching and I have to snap in all the time. It's terrible."
A goalie with ADD? How does he manage that?
"A lot of medicine," he said.
He's been just the right prescription for No. 4 Hofstra (5-0), which has not allowed more than nine goals in any game. Gvozden was about as clear-minded Sunday as he's been all season, making several stellar stops, including one in which he twisted his body and blocked the ball with his back shoulder. Offensive players have become adept at making behind-the-back shots, but you rarely see a behind-the-back save.
"I thought this was my most locked-in game I've had yet," said Gvozden, a junior. "I was seeing the ball well . . . I felt comfortable out there. Composed."
There was, though, a span of about six minutes in the second quarter when things got dicey. Air Force (1-5) scored three straight goals to get within 6-4. After the last of that flurry, Gvozden gathered his defense around him and regrouped the gang. He allowed one more goal before coming out midway through the fourth.
Last year, that kind of lapse might have sent Gvozden to the bench much sooner. He split time at goalie with Rob Bellairs in 2010, starting and completing only four games. But in the fall, Hofstra coach Seth Tierney decided to make Gvozden his full-time goalie.
"We said, 'Let's just alleviate some of the nervousness and make him the starter,' " Tierney said. "He's earned it. At least we can take this off of his plate and we can go from there."
Hofstra has been going ever since. Jay Card had three goals and two assists and Stephen Bentz scored twice Sunday. The Pride posted 11 goals without one from their leading scorer, Jamie Lincoln.
Hofstra's offense has been garnering most of the attention during this early run.
The goalie? He's just trying to pay attention.
"Whenever they have the ball on our side of the field, I've been trying to grit down, gripping my stick a little bit tighter and making sure that I'm talking, communicating," Gvozden said. "If we start to get relaxed and let up a little bit, then my head . . . you know. So I try to stay focused as best I can."
