West Long Branch, N.J. - Hofstra erased a one-goal deficit
and tallied 21 total shots, playing Monmouth to a 1-1 draw in a non-conference
matchup on Sunday night in front of an announced crowd of 705 at The Great Lawn.
Junior midfielder Chris Griebsch netted his second goal of the season, scoring to the far post in the
29th minute to knot the score at one. Griebsch, who also scored in Hofstra's
season opener, helped Hofstra improve to 2-0-1 on the season. Monmouth entered
the contest receiving votes in the NSCAA national poll and moved to 3-0-1.
The Hawks raced to the early
lead with a third-minute goal. Jacob Rubinstein headed in a shot just 2:33 into
the contest for his second goal of the campaign. Ryan Clark and Edney Derrick
assited on the score, marking the first time in four games Hofstra gave up a
goal.
Junior goalkeeper Roberto Pellegrini finished with two saves and is now 3-0-2 in the last five games dating
to last season. Pellegrini (Monte Porzio Catone, Italy) entered the contest
with three consecutive shutouts. Monmouth's goal ended his personal shutout
streak at 333:39 (Pellegrini last gave up a goal against Penn State on Nov. 1,
2011).
Griebsch netted the
equalizer when he scored to the far post off a cross. Senior midfielder Mike Annarumma (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) recorded the assist for his first point of
the season at 28:56. Sophomore Maid Memic also was credited with an assist on the play.
Hofstra had multiple chances to win in the second overtime. Griebsch's shot hit
the crossbar before Hofstra drew a foul in the box on the ensuing action. But Monmouth
goalkeeper Alex Blackburn stopped Griebsch's penalty kick attempt with 3:19
left in the session to preserve the tie. Griebsch had previously converted
Hofstra's only penalty kick attempt of 2011 and scored off a PK on Opening Day
against Lehigh. Blackburn made
seven saves total.
Griebsch was active all
game, posting a game-high eight shots. The Dessau-Rosslau, Germany native is now tied with Memic
for the team lead in goals with two and just one point behind Memic's six points. Memic (Kozarac, Bosnia) finished with four shots.
In all, Hofstra racked up a
21-13 advantage in shots, including a 12-6 edge after halftime.
Hofstra will next be in action
on Friday when the team hits the road again to face Binghamton at 8 p.m.
