By Bob Bonett and Ed Morrone

STORRS, CONN.-Despite heroic efforts from goaltender Tom Johansen and midfielder Chris Cox, the men’s soccer team came up short at No. 4 Connecticut, falling 2-0.

The first half featured a dominating attack from Hofstra, only to be thwarted by the Huskies’ defense each time. Cox, specifically, had four scoring chances in the game, including one shot sent at the net that deflected off the post.

Connecticut and the Pride battled scoreless for much of the first half until O’Brian White’s pass across the goalie box deflected off Hofstra defender Charalambos Rossides and into the net.

Johansen (eight saves) rebounded nicely from the goal, though, and kept the Huskies off the scoreboard until very late in the game. Head coach Rich Nuttall said that Johansen’s did an “outstanding, unbelievable job.”

Throughout the second half, the Pride remained on the attack, nearly tying the game at one on several occassions. Had Hofstra capitalized, Nuttall felt that the men would hold on for the victory, and thus, would have been able to head back to Hempstead happy.

“We knew that if we tied the game, we were going to win,” Nuttall said. “I told the team to be dissatisfied because they were capable of beating teams like [Connecticut].”

The loss dropped the Pride to 0-3-1 on the season while moving the Huskies to 5-0 on the year. Hofstra will play in their home opener Friday against the University of San Diego.