HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – It is always a special day when the Massachusetts men’s lacrosse team travels to Long Island to take on the Hofstra Pride.

It is special because a bus trip to Hempstead is a return home for many of the Minutemen, as numerous players have roots in the area. Unfortunately for the Maroon and White however, success has been left stranded at the bus stop on the last three occasions.

What began as a simple visit turned into a homecoming fiesta for the entire UMass squad and a coming out party for one player – highly touted sophomore Kevin Leveille.

Although Leveille is a native of Delmar, N.Y., he looked right at home on the turf of Hofstra Stadium, notching a career-high four goals and six points in a 17-13 victory.

The Minutemen (1-0, 0-0 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference) made Hofstra (0-1, 0-0 America East) the first victim of a run and gun style that should become a trademark of 2001 UMass lacrosse.

“We have decided to play up tempo,” head coach Greg Canella said.

The contest began at a ferocious pace with nine goals in the first quarter. UMass was in control for most of the opening frame until Hofstra’s Tom Kessler notched two goals and Mike Tierney netted another to give the home squad a 5-4 lead as the first quarter ended.

The style of the game remained consistent as ten more goals were scored in the second quarter. Senior captain Jeremy Guski led by example, as he found the back of the net twice in the second frame, helping the Minutemen stay within one goal of the Pride at 10-9.

“It was a tough day to be a goalie,” Canella said.

The way the contest had shaped itself going into halftime the question was which team could sustain its offensive explosiveness and which team would sputter?

That question would be answered immediately by UMass’ mountain of a defenseman, Matt McFarland.

“Big Nasty” speaks softly but carries a big stick that loomed over the Hofstra offense like a vulture over a rotting carcass.

The junior All-America candidate provided a second half spark by flexing his muscles on a helpless Hofstra attacker. After the bone crushing hit McFarland audaciously ran through three Hofstra players before springing junior Paul Hutchen for a breakaway tally to knot the game at ten.

The sequence of events that led to Hutchens goal swayed the game, as the Pride was struggling to match UMass’ intensity for the rest of the contest.

Leveille went for the jugular, as he took a feed from the point and fired a 15-yard shot into the side netting.

“He’s a tremendous shooter, so if he can get his chances he’ll put the ball away,” Canella said.

Less than a minute after giving UMass a lead the phenom struck again, this time on a goal truly indicative of his talent and potential. The sophomore exhibited his outstanding one on one skill by breaking down a Hofstra defender and embarrassing the Pride’s net minder on a short hop shot that found the upper corner.

Alex Racioppi then found fellow senior Rich Kunkel for another breakaway goal that gave the Maroon and White a 13-10 advantage.

While the UMass attack squad was firing on all cylinders the defense was getting it done as well.

“We really shut them down in the second half and played great defense,” Canella said.

That stingy defensive core was bolstered by the play of goalie Chris Campolettano. The senior made 17 saves on the afternoon, none more important than the flurry he turned back at the end of the third quarter.

With the Minutemen clinging to a two-goal lead the Pride garnered a one minute extra man opportunity. Campolettano all but cued the fat lady, as he made two remarkable saves in shutting down the Hofstra advantage.

“We really needed Campy – he played great for us,” Canella said of his keeper’s rock solid performance.

The Pride was merely puppets to the Minutemen in the final period, as UMass controlled the flow of the game.

After three minutes of sustained pressure the Maroon and White were still attempting to kick the home team off their heels.

Leveille answered the call again; prying open the jaws of the Pride with a five hole laser off a feed from Racioppi.

The extra man goal gave UMass a 15-13 lead and a strangle hold on the contest. Campolettano continued to make key saves down the stretch while John Madigan notched his second goal of the game and Leveille netted his fourth for some added insurance.

Hofstra’s offense clicked like a cube through a spherical hole in the second half. McFarland and bruising sophomore Tom Fallon helped to push Hofstra around like a tackling dummy, as the Pride managed only three goals in the final thirty minutes of play. Whether it was “Big Nasty” feeding up some turf or Campolettano making stone cold stops the UMass D had the Hofstra O talking to themselves as they left the field.

It all came together for the Minutemen on Saturday – balanced scoring, ferocious defense and strength in numbers.

Canella preaches work ethic during the week but he emphasizes performance on game day.

“We’ve always worked hard Monday through Friday,” Canella said. “These guys made a decision to get the job done on Saturday.”