Hempstead, NY (Oct. 21) - Senior midfielder Rob Youhill (Harrogate, England) scored the game-winning goal early in the first half as the Hofstra Men's Soccer team picked up a big 2-0 home win over George Mason on Wednesday afternoon at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.

With the win, Hofstra improves to 7-5-1 and 5-1-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association, moving it alone into first place in the CAA past UNC Wilmington (4-0-2), which tied William & Mary 1-1 on Wednesday and still has a game in hand due to a rainout. George Mason, which defeated defending national champion Maryland earlier this season 2-0, falls to 8-5-1 overall and 3-2-1 in conference play.

The Pride took a 1-0 lead at the 14:31 mark of the first half on a terrific individual effort from Youhill. After George Mason headed the ball out of their penalty area, Youhill tracked it down 35 yards from goal. He dribbled to his left, and then cut back to his right past a defender, before sending a 25-yard rocket straight into the upper-right corner to give the Pride the 1-0 lead.

Sophomore goalkeeper Greg Cumpstone (Haddam, CT) was tested moments earlier by George Mason forward Draymond Washington. A George Mason cross from the right sideline found Washington inside the penalty area. Washington chested the ball down and sent a low blast towards goal, but Cumpstone went down to smother the ball and keep the game scoreless.

The second half saw Hofstra pack it in and protect the lead, as it held the Patriots to only three shots after intermission, none of which were on net. The Pride made a couple strong bids at an insurance goal, including headers from freshman midfielder Stephan Barea (Levittown, NY) and junior midfielder Max Ribbens (Amsterdam, Netherlands) that went just wide. Junior midfielder Steven Ehrichs (Brentwood, NY) also had an open 15-yard shot blocked by George Mason senior goalkeeper Sean Kelley.

Hofstra, though, finally was able to put the game away in the final minute on a counter-attack, as George Mason committed a foul in the box to stop a breakaway. Junior forward Johannes Grahn (Tibro, Sweden) took the penalty kick and beat Kelley for his 20th career goal.

Hofstra finished with an 11-10 edge in shots, including 7-3 after halftime. Cumpstone had two saves to get the shutout in net, while Kelley finished with one save for the Patriots.

Hofstra will next be in action when it travels to William & Mary on Saturday for a 7 p.m. contest.