Hempstead, N.Y. -
Hofstra raced to a two-goal lead and held off a Boston University
comeback attempt as the Pride won, 2-1, against the Terriers in a
non-conference matchup on Saturday night at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
Freshman Joseph Holland scored his third goal of the season
in the 24th minute and senior Thomas Bekas notched his first goal in the 49th
minute to snap a two-game losing streak in lifting Hofstra's record to 5-2-1.
Parker Powell scored in the 76th minute for the Terriers, but BU could not score
the equalizer in falling to 2-5-2.
Bekas, a five-year member of the Pride due to a medical
red-shirt in his freshman year, scored his first career goal that proved to be
the game-winner. Bekas, a defender who had not scored in his first 54 career
games, showed the skills that would
impress a striker with his tally 3:36 into the second half.
Bekas (Bay Shore, N.Y.) took sophomore Maid Memic's pass and
curved a shot near the top of the box into the upper left-hand corner for the
2-0 edge. The goal allowed Bekas to register his first career multi-point game
as well.
Hofstra opened the scoring on another impressive long-range
shot. Holland (London, England) took junior Herbert Biste's feed near the top
of the box and blasted a perfectly placed shot that nestled just under the
crossbar in the top-right corner over BU goalie Nick Thomson's leaping attempt
for the 1-0 lead at 23:11.
The Pride defense was strong in holding BU without a shot on
goal until the 63rd minute. Senior goalkeeper Adam Janowski (Coram, N.Y.) faced
four shots on goal and made three saves.
Hofstra did not surrender a corner kick to a BU squad that
has already faced six nationally ranked opponents this season. The Terriers
entered with a tie against No. 3 UConn, a road win at No. 11 Boston College and
a 2-1 loss to No. 1 (and defending national champion) North Carolina. But
Hofstra built a 7-2 shot advantage in the first half and held on to secure the
victory in a matchup of former America East rivals.
BU went down a man in the 57th minute when Terriers leading
scorer Mac McGuire was sent off with a red card. Despite playing down a man,
Powell headed in Anthony Ciccone's cross near the right post to make it 2-1 at
75:28.
But Hofstra did not allow a shot on goal after the goal,
blocking two BU shots with another attempt going wide. The Pride is now 4-4-1
in the all-time series.
Memic (Kozarac, Bosnia) tied for the team lead in points
with nine thanks to his assist. Biste (Halle, Germany) registered his second
assist of the season.
Hofstra will conclude the non-conference portion of the
schedule on Tuesday with a home game against Jacksonville. Game time at Hofstra
Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
