Hofstra University Athletics

VILLANOVA SPOILS HOFSTRA SOCCER STADIUM OPENING 2-1

9/1/2003 12:00:00 AM

Hempstead, NY (Sept. 1) Freshman midfielder Felix Vincent had a goal and an assist as the Villanova Men's Soccer team spoiled the opening of the Hofstra Soccer Stadium with a 2-1 win over the Pride on Monday afternoon. With the victory, Villanova improves to 1-1 on the young season, while the Pride starts out the season 0-1.

Junior forward Michael Todd (Cleveland, England) scored the only goal for the Pride on a penalty kick midway through the second half after Villanova was whistled for a hand ball in the box. Villanova keeper Pat Walsh dove and got his fingertips on the ball, but was unable to keep it out of the side netting as the Pride pulled within 2-1.

Villanova's defense then put the clamps on the rest of the way as Hofstra managed only two more shot attempts, both of which were from well outside the penalty area.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead behind a strong first half from Vincent. He set up the opening goal with a long run down the right sideline, turning the corner on Hofstra's final defender. He dribbled all the way to the end line inside the penalty area, and sent a low cross towards the front of the goal. Sophomore midfielder Brett Stassfurth ran onto it and was able to deposit an easy shot from five yards out at the 29:20 mark.

Villanova doubled its lead in the closing minutes before halftime, as it took advantage of a Hofstra giveaway in its defensive third. Freshman forward Marcelo Rodriguez stole the ball and sent a lateral pass across the top of the penalty area. Vincent ran onto it unguarded and banged a shot inside the right post from 12 yards out.

The Pride was outshot 12-7, but managed to put only one of its seven shots on goal (the penalty kick from Todd). Most of Hofstra's other attempts were long-range shots that sailed over the crossbar. By contrast, Villanova had most of its 12 shots inside the penalty area, forcing Hofstra sophomore goalkeeper Matthias Gumbrecht (Hemhofen, Germany) to make several saves from point-blank range.

The game was the first for the Pride at its brand new Hofstra Soccer Stadium, featuring a state-of-the-art field turf surface and permanent bleacher seating for 1,600 fans. Hofstra previously played its home games on University Field (natural grass).

Vincent also captured a bit of a personal head-to-head battle with Hofstra freshman forward Paulo Walters. The two players were teammates together up until last season at East Lyme (CT) High School, but started on opposite sides of the ball on Monday.

Hofstra will next be in action when it travels to take part in Oneonta State's tournament this Saturday and Sunday. The Pride faces Oneonta on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and then meets Hartwick on Sunday at 12 noon.

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