HEMPSTEAD, NY — Mark Lindstrom scored the golden goal off a corner kick to give the UNC-Wilmington (UNCW) Seahawks a 3-2 overtime victory over the Pride men’s soccer team on Saturday afternoon at the Hofstra soccer stadium.
“To lose it in overtime, it’s always difficult, it can go either way,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “Overall, I’m proud of the way we battled, but [we were] lacking in concentration in key moments.”
The victory is the first ever at Hofstra soccer stadium for UNCW (5-4-1, 3-0-1 CAA).
Hofstra (5-5, 2-2 CAA) opened the scoring in the 21st minute on a Matthew Vowinkel goal. Lennart Seufert sent a pass from midfield to Adam Savill, who sent a cross from the right corner and connected with Vowinkel to put the Pride ahead 1-0.
The goal was Vowinkel’s third of the season, with all three coming in the past four matches.
“[Vowinkel] does a job all the time,” Nuttall said. “He’s fundamentally sound, he wins headers, he’s good with his back to the goal, he brings people in to play.”
Following Vowinkel’s goal, the Seahawks continued controlling time of possession in the first half, outshooting Hofstra 12 to three in the opening 45 minutes. Alex Ashton made two saves, but UNCW knotted the score at one with 3:27 left until the break when Phillip Goodrum found the back of the goal on a header off a cross from Athit Berg.
The Seahawks outshot the Pride 23-7 in the match. UNCW has controlled time of possession for many of their matches this season, outshooting opponents 120-72 coming into Saturday’s contest.
“If you don’t stay totally focused as a unit, they’ll drag you all over the field,” Nuttall said.
Goodrum leads the Seahawks with five goals on the season. He led the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with 12 goals last season and was selected as the 2019 CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
The Pride regained the lead less than 10 minutes into the second half. UNCW failed to clear the ball out of a crowded box and Storm Strongin took advantage, scoring an unassisted goal into the top left corner of the net.
The goal was Strongin’s second of the season.
The Seahawks answered again when freshman Cannon Tootle scored the first goal of his collegiate career off a pass from Goodrum. Ashton came out to challenge Goodrum, who found Tootle for the tying tally with 11:10 left in the second half, ultimately forcing overtime and the eventual game-winner by Lindstrom.
Hofstra returns to action on Tuesday, Oct. 8, when they visit the University of Albany at 7 pm.
Image courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
