Hofstra’s match against No. 1 University of Maryland consisted of plenty of shots throughout the 90 minutes of play.
Unfortunately, the Pride’s ability to outshoot the top ranked team did not result in many goals; Hofstra outshot Maryland 10-6 in a tough 2-1 loss.
This was the first time Hofstra squared off against a top ranked opponent in program history.
It did not take long for Maryland to show why it has earned its top ranking. In the fourth minute of play, Terrapins defender, Alex Crognale, chipped in a close-range shot following an assist by Gordon Wild.
Freshman Luke Brown and senior Joseph Holland attempted to equalize for the Pride after Maryland’s first goal, yet both came up short.
Brown’s shot was directed inside the frame of the goal, but ended up being saved by the Terps goalkeeper.
Holland’s shot followed, but it ended up sailing high, which helped maintain Maryland’s one goal lead.
Soon after Holland’s missed attempt, Crognale notched his second goal of the match; connecting on a header off a free kick sending the ball to the far post in the 20th minute.
Hofstra failed to get anything going for the remainder of the first half and came out in the second half with Alex Ashton at goalie, with hopes of neutralizing Maryland’s formidable attack.
Although the Pride’s defense held up strong, holding the Terps to one shot throughout the second half, Hofstra’s offense was only able to capitalize on one of its many opportunities.
Hofstra’s only goal came in the 84th minute off of a powerful kick from 10 yards out by Meshack Eshun Addy.
With this goal, Eshun Addy now has five for this season, placing him right behind Brown, who leads the Pride with six.
Holland’s assist on the play brings him up to six in that department, far ahead of the next highest player, who only has two.
Holland’s significant contributions in assisting his teammates with scoring goals have been able to somewhat overshadow his lack of goal scoring.
In the full 90 minutes against Maryland, Holland sent a season high six shots, with three of them within the perimeter of the goal.
Holland leaves this game still searching for his first goal since August.
With this win, the Terrapins added one more win and were successful in maintaining their impressive undefeated home record which now stands at 10-0.
Hofstra will close out its two game run of non-conference play as they welcome Binghamton University to its home field on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
