Hofstra men’s soccer extended their two-game winning streak to three with a 1-0 win against the Dartmouth College’s Big Green at Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Pride got off to a good start as they controlled the ball in Dartmouth’s end for the majority of the first 10 minutes of the game, but struggled to produce scoring chances. The Big Green played tight defense and did not allow the Pride to have a shot on goal during that time.
The momentum shifted toward Dartmouth as they began to find their control and put more pressure on Hofstra defense. The Big Green were able to generate three shots, but only one on goal from Dawson McCartney. The shot was stopped by Hofstra goalkeeper Alex Ashton as he dove to his left to make a nice save.
Hofstra put up three shots of its own later in the half, none of which were on goal. The half ended in a scoreless tie. Dartmouth committed seven fouls to Hofstra’s four and both teams had two corner kicks.
The second half of the game showed much more intensity between both teams. Dartmouth controlled the ball well. From there on it went back-and-forth between the two teams controlling the ball in each end, but neither were successful putting one in the net.
Dartmouth had their best scoring chance of the game when an open look shot was put just over the head of Ashton to keep the game tied.
The Pride looked much better offensively in the second half and it was Matthew Vowinkel who broke the tie with his fourth goal of the season in the 73rd minute. The goal was assisted by Storm Strongin, who sent the ball in front of the net from the corner where Vowinkel was waiting to head it into the right corner of the goal.
“I get better and better each game,” Vowinkel said. “And scoring helps tremendously with the confidence and allowing me to be myself.”
As the minutes ticked down, Dartmouth continued to try and pressure the Pride. The Big Green received two yellow cards, while Hofstra received one. Ashton had two saves in the final 10 minutes to keep the shutout intact.
The win extended the Pride’s undefeated streak to four games. For Ashton, it is the fourth consecutive game that he has shut out the opponent.
“Our communication is so much better,” Ashton said. “Saying whose job is whose on defense and what my role is has really clarified it more.”
Dartmouth now drops to 0-4-2 on the season, while the Pride get even at .500 and are now 3-3-2 heading into Colonial Athletic Association play.
“Wins give you confidence, but you’ve always got to be one step ahead of the opposition,” Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall said. “We’ve got to train hard, we’ve got to think well, plan well and we’ve got that right focus going into the next game”.
Hofstra now heads to Elon, North Carolina to take on the University of North Carolina Wilmington on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
