The Pride men’s soccer team hit the ground running for their home opener against the University at Albany Great Danes, winning 4-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

The Pride put up seven shots in the first half and held the Great Danes without a shot for the first 42 minutes. By that time, Ryan Carmichael and Matthew Vowinkel had already given the Pride a 2-0 lead heading into the second half.

However, Hofstra did not sit on its lead and keep the scoring low. Not even five minutes into the second half, the home squad got another goal from Vowinkel, his third of the season. A little over three minutes later, Hendrik Hebbeker darted through the Great Danes’ defense and scored his first of the season assisted by Vowinkel.

Only three of the Great Danes’ shots made their way to Wessel Speel, who turned them all aside. Over the past three seasons, the Pride has scored three or more goals 13 times and has won ten of those games, including this one.

Storm Strongin assisted on Vowinkel’s second goal and Carmichael’s opening tally. This gave Strongin three assists on the season which places him tied for second in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Carmichael’s opening goal was the game winner: his second game winner of the season, placing him first in the CAA in game winning goals.

After Vowinkel’s freshman season, he has consistently led the team in goals scored. Since his first year in 2017, the Pride are 16-3-5 when Vowinkel scores at least a goal.

Speel now leads the CAA in shutouts, with four this season. Speel has played in six home games throughout his young career and has only lost one.

Hofstra is 4-1 on the season with three of four wins coming on the road. Their next game will be the second of their current four game homestand.  It will be against their CAA rival, the Drexel University Dragons, on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m.

The Pride won their last matchup against Drexel 3-0 at the Hofstra Soccer Stadium and are 4-0-1 against the Dragons.

Photo Courtesy of Jacob Lewis/The Hofstra Chronicle