In a roller coaster of a game, the Hofstra men’s soccer team ultimately came out on top to defeat Elon University 3-2 on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Hofstra University soccer stadium.

In their last matchup, the Pride fell to Stony Brook after allowing two goals in the opening 15 minutes. Hofstra took a page from the Seawolves’ playbook, scoring two goals of their own in the first five minutes against the Phoenix. This was the Pride’s first win of the season where they allowed a goal.

Just like Stony Brook, the Pride was able to hold on after an unsuccessful comeback, escaping with a crucial conference victory. Hofstra is now 4-3 on the year overall and 2-1 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action.

Elon started the game with the ball, but it did not stay that way for long. With their recent loss in mind, Hofstra played with tenacity, dictating the pace and piling up offensive chances.

“We were all in the same boat,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “It hurt our feelings. Our [psyche] was not where it was supposed to be.”

Junior Storm Strongin started the domino effect, missing on a shot by mere inches courtesy of a timely block from an Elon defender. However, Hofstra made their opposition pay on the subsequent corner kicks.

On their first opportunity, the Pride missed out yet again on a shot that went just high, but then Adam Savill found Matthew Vowinkel on a beautiful pass, converting on the game’s first goal. That tally was Vowinkel’s first goal of the year, while Savill tallied his third assist in the young season.

Playing on the ropes, Elon began to make mistakes and the Pride took advantage. The Phoenix were assessed a penalty, giving Hofstra a free kick at midfield and a promising chance to add to their lead.

The Pride moved the ball deep into the offensive zone, and similarly to their first goal, a cross proved deadly for Elon. Strongin once again was all over the play, finding junior Petter Soelberg’s head and assisting on the game’s second goal.

The Sweden native recorded his third goal and fifth point on the year, improving upon his one-shot outing against the Seawolves.

Elon took possession following the two tallies, establishing a more structured breakout and tightening up their defensive system. Hofstra adjusted by making a substitution, bringing Long Island’s own Jason Ramirez into the game to the delight of his family and the home crowd.

Following the substitution, Hofstra put together another opportunity to score, nearly improving their lead to three goals. Strongin fed Vowinkel on a crisp pass at the 16-minute mark, but the pair was unable to convert on a promising play.

The Pride survived the remainder of the first half unscathed, entering halftime with a 2-0 lead.

“The worst lead in soccer is 2-0,” Nuttall said. “I wanted the team to keep working hard, but we let them back in the game and that was disappointing.”

Elon kept the pressure on after the intermission and they were finally rewarded. Three minutes into the half, Nick Adamczyk found John Walden on a cross-field pass for his first goal of his senior campaign.

Walden almost tied the game up later in the half, but Luca Tausch was there with a timely block. However, it did not mean much, as just seconds later, Iñigo Bronte scored a goal from outside the box over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Alex Ashton. Bronte was an All-CAA choice last year with a six-goal and 13-point stat line.

“I think we caused our own problems with both goals,” Nuttall said. “First, we didn’t pick an opponent out of the box and the second goal was a calamity.”

The Pride rebounded masterfully, not allowing a fluke goal to destroy their chances. Following 20 minutes of back and forth action, Hofstra started to muster up a string of passes that ended in the box. After a chaotic sequence right in front of the goal, Etienne Botty and Vowinkel assisted on a beautiful rebound by Stefan Mason who found the back of the net and gave Hofstra the 3-2 lead.

Mason, a freshman from Knowle, United Kingdom, stepped up to the plate, recording a huge milestone. That go-ahead tally was Mason’s first career collegiate goal.

With Elon desperately trying to tie the game, Hofstra’s structure, communication and teamwork helped them hold on to the lead. Ashton also helped, making a diving save to secure the victory with a minute left in regulation.

“We could have wilted and we didn’t,” Nuttall said. “I am really happy with how the team did.”

Hofstra limited Elon to just two goals on eight shots. Coming into the matchup, Elon was averaging 1.17 goals on 14.2 shots per contest.

Hofstra will look to continue building momentum Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Leonidoff athletic field when they battle Marist College in a 7 p.m contest.

Image courtesy of Hofstra Athletics