The No. 17 ranked Hofstra University men’s soccer team defeated American University 4-1 to snatch their first win of the 2024 season at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland, on Sunday, Aug. 25. The Pride improved to 1-0-1 on the season.

Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall’s squad went into halftime tied at 1-1. They initially took the lead through defender Gabriel Pacheco in the 39th minute via a corner kick. The set piece was swept in by Pablo Hempelmann-Perez, flicked on by midfielder Laurie Goddard and knocked in at the far side by Pacheco.

However, The Pride, who conceded only four first-half goals last season, gave up the lead shortly after going pulling ahead. The Eagles drew level with a goal from midfielder Mylo Hall, a University of the Pacific graduate transfer. A cross sent in by American midfielder Jared Weber was accidentally put into the back of the net by Hall, who failed to clear inside his six-yard area.

Hofstra took control of the game in the second half with a goal from team captain Roc Carles 57 minutes in. The American defense scrambled to clear as their goalkeeper was off his mark, allowing Carles to make his first goal since 2022.

Hofstra pulled away in the 71st minute as Goddard launched a counterattack near the center circle. Goddard, a new transfer from Merrimack College, provided an out-swinger to the far side for Jacob Woznicki. The graduate and Stonehill College transfer slotted it past American goalkeeper Matthew Tibbetts to double the Pride’s advantage.

The Pride were not yet done as Tibbetts gave the ball straight away to Hofstra’s Owen Barnett. The junior, who missed the entire 2023 season due to injury, scored his first point of the season with an assist from [MT1]  Hempelmann-Perez. The midfielder rounded the keeper and brought Hofstra to four at the end of the match.

The Pride outpaced the Eagles 14-9 in total shots and 7-1 in shots-on-goal. Goalkeeper Filippo Dadone was denied a second straight clean sheet to begin the season but enjoyed an otherwise stress-free evening as he was only forced to make one save, denying Ethan Boyle nearly 15 minutes into the match.

The four-goal performance was a huge rebound for the reigning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) champions following their scoreless draw with Fordham University in the season opener. The scoresheet featured mainstays from prior years as well as fresh blood for the Pride.

Hofstra returns to action against Providence College at Hofstra Soccer Stadium in Hempstead, New York, on Thursday, Aug. 29. The Pride seek their first home win of the season. Gametime is at 7 p.m.

Photo taken by Rafael Suanes