HEMSTEAD, N.Y. – A late goal by No. 24 Hofstra at the 79th minute handed the 10th-ranked Elon University men’s soccer team its second straight loss in a 1-0 Colonial Athletic Association setback on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
Hofstra improved to 11-5 and a 6-1 mark in the CAA while Elon fell to 12-4 with 5-2 ledger in league play. The defeat gives the Phoenix its first losing streak of the season. The Pride also clinches the CAA regular-season title with the win and the right to host the CAA Tournament on Nov. 13-15.
The Rundown
Neither team was able to generate any points on the board in the opening stanza, despite Elon having a pair of solid chances. James Brace had a strike that was blocked by Hofstra goalkeeper Patric Pray inside the fifth minute. Brace tried to get around Pray again at the 32nd minute as he raced up the right side of the field, but the netminder was there to deny him again.
Elon held the Pride to only two shots total in the opening period and had a 6-2 overall advantage. Hofstra had a 2-1 lead in corners with both squads whistled for 13 fouls total (Hofstra 8, Elon 5).
Hofstra’s Mani Walcott netted the lone goal of the match at the 79th minute of the match. Walcott retrieved the ball off a rebound and was able to tap it in the open net to give the Pride the eventual 1-0 win.
Match Notes
• The Pride won the shot battle, 13-11, with both squads having four shots each on goal.
• Pray had four saves between the posts for Hofstra and has posted two shutouts versus the Phoenix in his career. Phoenix keeper Matthew Jegier had three saves in goal for Elon.
• Hofstra had an 11-5 shot advantage in the second period.
• Elon still sits No. 2 in the league standings with 15 points and can clinch the second bye with its win over the Cougars next Saturday.
Up Next
The Phoenix closes out its regular-season with a pair of matches at home next week starting with a contest versus Radford next Wednesday, Oct. 28. That match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Rudd Field.