Freshman Adam Savill led the Pride to victory on Wednesday as the team defeated the Drexel University Dragons 4-1. The Pride advanced to 6-0 in conference play and 8-4-1 overall.
After going 0-4 on corner kicks, the Pride scored its first goal of the night in the 29th minute. Savill came off the bench and passed to junior Meshack Eshun Addy who kicked the ball into the right side of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
With two minutes left in the first half, Savill converted the Pride’s sixth corner kick after a missed clear for the first goal of his collegiate career and the team’s second of the night.
Throughout the first half, the Pride dominated control of the ball, posting 13 shots compared to only one by the Dragons. The Dragons would go on to record only three shots and two shots on goal, compared to Hofstra’s 22 shots and nine shots on goal over the course of the game.
Savill continued his great game in the second half, shooting his second goal of the night into the net, assisted by senior Nino Alfonso. The game was Savill’s first multi-point outing.
“I’m over the moon. I’ve only had one point so far and I’ve had a few chances to score. In the last game, [the ball] just hit the post, so it was good to get on the score sheet and to get two… that’s even better,” said Savill.
He wasn’t the only freshman that contributed to the win. Despite being held by a defender, Luke Brown shot the ball past the Dragon’s keeper into the left side of the net for his fifth goal of the season and the Pride’s fourth of the night. Joseph Holland picked up his fourth assist of the season on the play.
“As a freshman group, they’ve been excellent. They’ve kept the level of practice high, which is what our secret is. We’re working hard. Every freshman’s been excellent. I’m really pleased,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall.
The Dragon’s lone goal came from junior Colin McGlynn, who scored on a cross from senior Aaron Thompson with 18 minutes remaining. It was Drexel’s first goal in six games. The goal was only the third allowed by the Pride in conference play.
Nearly every player hit the pitch as the lead allowed Nuttall to use 12 subs during the game.
The Dragons, now on a seven-game skid and 1-9-2 overall, head home to take on Elon on Oct. 15.
The Pride hopes to continue its success in conference play when they head south to face nationally ranked UNCW on Sat., Oct. 16.
