HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — The Hofstra Pride men’s soccer team and the Binghamton University Bearcats both entered Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 30, looking to extend three-match unbeaten streaks, and both squads accomplished that goal after playing to a 2-2 draw.
Matthew Vowinkel starred for the Pride, putting in both of the team’s goals in the match. His first came 34 minutes in after Storm Strongin placed the ball inside the box with a free kick that allowed Vowinkel to head the ball into the upper right of the net, tying up the match, 1-1.
Vowinkel’s second goal also brought the score to a tie, as his 82nd-minute penalty kick successfully knotted the score at 2-2. The penalty kick was drawn by Jason Ramirez, who trickily spun his way past two Bearcat defenders and into the box where he was fouled. The two goals brought Vowinkel to nine for the season, which is the highest in the junior’s career with the Pride.
Binghamton’s lead-gaining goals came from Oliver Svalander, who capitalized on his first shot attempt of the night after 28:38 played and Haris Brkovic, who drove down the sideline before taking the ball past two Hofstra defenders into the box for an open shot with 21 minutes remaining in the match.
“[We had a] fantastic first 20 minutes,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “[We] probably should have had a couple of goals. [We] didn’t score, they got back in the game, we lost our energy, our concentration, our spacing and [we had] a poor final 25 [minutes] of the first half.”
The Pride held the offensive advantage in the first half, taking eight shots compared to just two from Binghamton. After a more even second half, the Bearcats upped their intensity for overtime, taking six shots in the two 10-minute periods, while the Pride were held to just one.
Another advantage held by the Pride, but lost in extra time, was corner kicks. Hofstra took eight corner kicks throughout 90 minutes of regulation and did not allow any, but they were unable to earn any in overtime and allowed the Bearcats to take their only two of the game.
In goal, Alex Ashton had another impressive showing for the Pride, making five saves, with three coming in overtime, preventing game-winning attempts from Binghamton’s Jack Muller, Stephen McKenna and Svalander.
The Pride’s record moved to 7-6-2 for the season after the draw and 4-2-1 at home. The team looks ahead to their final match of Colonial Athletic Association play as they will host Northeastern University on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
