Hempstead, N.Y.-Hofstra scored two unanswered goals and
posted 21 shots in defeating Jacksonville, 3-1, on Tuesday night at Hofstra
Soccer Stadium to conclude the non-conference portion of the schedule.
Sophomore Maid Memic scored the game-winner and assisted on
freshman Joseph Holland's insurance goal in the 88th minute to lift Hofstra to
6-2-1 overall. The Pride out-shot the Dolphins, 21-12, as JU fell to 1-7-1.
Senior Mike Annarumma (Massapequa, Park, N.Y.) also scored
his first goal of the season for Hofstra. Fellow senior Adam Janowski (Coram,
N.Y.) made the goal support stand up, making four saves, including a
sensational close-range save in the second half to preserve a one-goal lead, as
Hofstra held an opponent to fewer than two goals for the sixth time in nine contests
this season.
Annarumma netted his first goal of the season to open the
scoring at 24:08. Junior Shaun Foster (Southport, England) picked up the assist
when Annarumma delivered a low shot from just inside the box that beat JU goalkeeper
Gavin Carlin.
But the Dolphins responded when leading scorer Nick
Rodriguez took Matheus Saroli's through ball and beat Janowski one-on-one to
the right side for the tying goal at 30:10.
Hofstra responded immediately, scoring the go-ahead just 27
seconds after JU got on the scoreboard when Memic (Kozarac, Bosina) picked up
his fourth goal of the campaign from about 10 yards out. Junior Tyler Botte
(North Babylon, N.Y.) picked up the assist on the play.
Memic, who surged to the team lead in goals with four, facilitated
the only scoring strike of the second half when he centered a pass for Holland
(London, England), who also scored from 10 yards out with 2:49 left in the
contest to end any hopes of a JU comeback attempt. Memic and Holland are tied
for the team lead in goals with four.
Overall, Hofstra built a 9-2 edge in corner kicks. The Pride went 2-1 on the three-game home
stand, including back-to-back wins over Boston University and JU.
Annarumma finished with a game-high seven shots while
Holland finished with six.
Down 2-1 in the 63rd minute, the Dolphins made their best
comeback bid when Rodriguez raced in near the right side. Janowski came out of
the net and slid to block Rodriguez's shot, keeping JU's leading scorer from
recording the multi-goal game and preserving the win for the Pride.
Hofstra will resume Colonial Athletic Association play on
Saturday with a road contest at UNC Wilmington. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
