The Hofstra Pride men’s soccer team defeated the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks 2-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship semifinal at the UNCW Soccer Stadium in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Sunday, Nov. 6.
The winning goal from Hofstra came in the 75th minute as Eliot Goldthorp scored on a rebound following the initial save from UNCW goalkeeper Gabriel Perrotta. Goldthorp had come on as a substitute 15 minutes before netting his 15th goal of the season. His tally leads the NCAA)for most goals by an individual player this season.
A minute before, a red card was issued to UNCW player Angelo Madrid. The Seahawks were down a player, and Hofstra maximized on this opportunity in the form of Goldthorp’s tie-breaking goal.
The Pride won in comeback fashion after conceding an early goal in the 14th minute, courtesy of UNCW midfielder Ethan Newsome. However, they responded with an equalizer in the 31st off a free kick sent in by Goldthorp. Defender Marcelo Lage was there to head it home inside a crowded box. Lage was one of three Hofstra players to play all 90 minutes.
It was a competitive match on both sides of the pitch. The Seahawks outnumbered their opponents in total shots, 20-19. However, the Pride held a stronger defense and were better in net compared to the home team. Hofstra goalkeeper Wessel Speel made six saves throughout the match, while the Pride forced the opposing goalkeeper to make nine. Both sides defended five corners.
Apart from the straight red for Madrid, there were three bookings in the second half – and in total. They were all yellow cards, most of which were handed out to UNCW players; Bachir Ndiaye and Adam Hillis received more-than-verbal warnings nine minutes apart from each other. The only Hofstra player shown yellow was midfielder Roc Charles with only six minutes remaining in regulation time.
With the victory, the Pride advances to the CAA Championship Game for the second consecutive year and sets their sights on their second CAA title in as many years as they face the top-seeded Elon University Phoenix in a rematch of last year’s clash, when the two sides faced off for a spot in the NCAA tournament. The Pride bring to the table a six-match unbeaten streak, with their most recent defeat at the hands of the Phoenix back in October.
Hofstra and Elon will battle for the pennant at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, in Elon, North Carolina.
Photo courtesy of Joe Browning/UNCW Athletics
