The Hofstra Pride played to a scoreless draw on Senior Night against the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens on Friday, March 26 at Hofstra Soccer Stadium. Both teams have now drawn in their last two matches.
Hofstra started the evening by honoring Matthew Vowinkel, Luca Tausch and Daniel Domicolo at their last match in the Hofstra Soccer Stadium. The excitement continued with the physical playing style of both teams and harsh winds which went over 40 miles per hour.
“We didn’t do a great job with the conditions,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “I thought there was a lot of energy, but no calm play.”
The two teams battled hard on the pitch for 110 minutes as the winner would have claimed first place in the North Division of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Delaware committed 15 fouls and took only 10 shots in the match. The Pride was charged with 12 fouls to their 11 shots, as the physical play on both sides outshined any sort of offense.
Three of Delaware’s fouls turned into yellow cards in the match. One of those cards came after Zach Golden slid into the legs of Vowinkel as he started a counterattack for the Pride in the 98th minute. Immediately after the whistle, Hofstra senior Jack Nuttall confronted the Blue Hen midfielder which resulted in a yellow card for him as well.
The goalkeepers stepped up on either end during the match, not only stifling the outfield players, but also the gale force winds. Hofstra’s freshman keeper Wessel Speel tallied six saves, while Renan Thomazo matched his number for the Blue Hens.
There was no shortage of opportunities for the Pride, as the team accrued 16 corners in the match. Hofstra has a reputation for taking advantage of set pieces, but the Blue Hens’ defense thwarted any chances of breaking the tie.
Senior midfielder Storm Strongin came the closest to scoring for the Pride in the first period of extra time, when he cut toward the box from the right wing and took the shot with his left foot, prompting Thomazo to flick his left foot out to deflect the ball away. Neither team could hold onto possession long enough in the howling wind to establish an attack.
Vowinkel led Hofstra with three shots on his senior night, and only one reached the keeper. Eight other players contributed a shot for the Pride, but the team only totaled six on goal.
“We [have] got to make sure we get something out of Northeastern,” Nuttall said. “Anybody is in it, and I suppose that’s what makes this game exciting.”
The Pride will head back on the road to face Northeastern University to end the season on April 10. The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw.
Photo Courtesy of Jacob Lewis/The Hofstra Chronicle
