It was just 2 years ago, when basketball coach Bruiser Flint and his Dragons were "snuffed" from the NCAA Tournament, despite a 23-9 record heading into Selection Sunday.

Today there's another team bearing the "snuffed" label after Selection Sunday of the NCAA lacrosse championships.

On Saturday, Hofstra dealt the host Dragons a 10-9 overtime blow in the Colonial Athletic Association championship game at Vidas Field. The win locked up Hofstra's postseason spot and left Drexel on the outside looking in, despite a 13-4 overall mark (5-2 CAA).

"It's disappointing to end the season like this," said Dragons coach Chris Bates. "We thought we were a playoff team and we are a playoff team; my emotions go out to my guys in that locker room, because they did everything that we [as coaches] asked them to, and they deserve to be that tournament team."

With 2 minutes remaining and a 9-7 lead, Drexel was on its way to securing a tournament berth. But Hofstra pulled its goalie to add an extra attacker, then got two quick goals - the second coming off a crucial faceoff won by the Pride - to force overtime.

And just 11 seconds into OT, Hofstra dashed all hopes for the Dragons, who had been ranked No. 11 in the nation at their high point of the season.

"It's just shocking to work all year for this and lose it like that," said Andrew Chapman, a senior forward for the Dragons who finished second in the CAA in goals per game. "That's sports, you know; it's the worst to lose like this, but what can you do."

Nevertheless, there are some, like sophomore forward Colin Ambler (two goals), who believe that the successful season only provides much-needed momentum heading to the future; in hopes that the word "snuff" can finally be snuffed out.

"We put in the hard work everyday, and we fell short," said Ambler. "I hate this feeling, but we really need to look at this as a springboard for next year and years to come."

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