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Earlier this year, Mike Malave was all set.

The standout midfielder from Shoreham-Wading River committed to Bucknell in January.

But by the midway point of the year, the situation that once seemed settled became anything but.

After finding out the news that the financial commitment Bucknell thought they’d be able to give me was unable to happen, it was very late in the recruiting process, Malave said.  As the financial obligation to Bucknell was beyond my family’s means,  I chose to decommit and begin the recruiting process all over again.

After decommitting, I immediately reached out to coaches who had contacted me earlier in the year and I sent out e-mails to other schools of interest.

Some schools (Loyola, Brown, Villanova, Delaware) told me they were interested but had already used up their scholarship money for my position in the class of 2011.  I spoke with coaches at Marlyand, Yale and UMBC and visited the campuses at Fairfield, Albany and Hofstra.  I narrowed my choices down to Hofstra, Maryland and Albany, and after seeing what each school had to offer academically and athletically,  I came to the conclusion that Hofstra was the perfect fit for me.

Here’s more from Mike on his commitment:

What were the main factors in your decision to attend Hofstra?
Hofstra has an outstanding reputation as a leading university on Long Island with a diverse mix of cultural, social, athletic and recreational activities.  In addition, it has always been my dream to play for a top Division I lacrosse program such as Hofstra’s.  Coach Tierney’s reputation for developing high achieving, Division I student-athletes is outstanding.  I look forward to Coach (Seth) Tierney’s guidance, support and inspiration as a member of Hofstra’s exceptional lacrosse program.

What adjustments do you think you will need to make to play at the next level?
I think the most important adjustment I will need to make is to be able to be as much of a threat with my left hand as I am with my right.  Being an equal threat with both hands is a major, and necessary asset at the next level.

What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My strengths as a player are my athleticism, Lax IQ and dodging ability.  I play the game fast, I like to get up and down the field and dodge in transition.  I work well in a freelance offense and like to create with and without the ball.

What players have you looked up to as you have moved up through the varsity ranks?
Coming up through the years, I’ve always admired and studied Mikey Powell, Chazz Woodson and Kyle Harrison because I play the game similar to their style.  I’ve watched Mikey Powell’s Syracuse highlights way too many times.

When did you first realize you had the potential to play at the college level?
I realized I had the potential to play at the college level in my freshman year of high school when I made the first and second cuts of the Empire State Games tryouts.  I was playing with kids committed to D-I schools and felt that I had the potential to get to where they were.

* For background info on Mike, check out his recruit profile by clicking here.

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