Hempstead, N.Y. – Guillermo Delgado scored 7:09 into overtime as Hofstra fell to Delaware, 2-1, in the regular season finale on Sunday afternoon in a Colonial Athletic Association matchup at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
Senior Tyler Botte ensured his final collegiate home game was a memorable one when he headed in the tying goal in the 71st minute for Hofstra. But the Pride lost at home for the first time all season in moving to 8-6-3 overall and 2-3-2 in CAA play. Ben Asante came off the bench to score the opening goal and Delgado notched his league-leading 13th scoring strike to help Delaware improve to 13-4 and 4-3.
Hofstra would have secured a CAA Tournament berth with a victory. The Pride remained at eight points and can still qualify for the six-team tournament if the College of Charleston loses at home to Drexel on Wednesday. The seventh-place Cougars have seven points. Hofstra and CofC tied 1-1, in the regular season meeting on Oct. 19.
Hofstra fell to 7-1 at home this season. The Pride lost its first overtime game of the season, moving to 2-1-3 in games that have gone past regulation after previously besting Colgate and then-No. 25 Brown in overtime on their home field.
A close match followed Senior Day ceremonies as Hofstra honored Botte, Chris Grenzig, Chris Griebsch, Roberto Pellegrini, Florian Popp, Herbert Biste and Heidar Emilsson before kickoff. The Pride and Blue Hens both finished with 15 total shots and seven corner kicks.
Asante, who was one of four Delaware reserves to see playing time, broke a scoreless deadlock in the 67th minute when he headed in a Roberto Gimenez cross from eight yards out. Asante's first goal gave Delaware the temporary lead that was negated just 4:10 later when Botte notched his second goal of the season.
Griebsch sent in a corner kick inside the six-yard box. Botte used his 6-3 frame to gain leverage and head in a shot just under the crossbar for his 12th career goal. Griebsch extended his school record with his 32nd career assist and seventh assist of 2013.
Delaware, which entered the day in fifth place, upped their season point total to 12 off Delgado's overtime effort. The forward gained separation down the field and made a move near the end line on the left side. Pellegrini came out of net to cut off the angle but Delgado scored to the far post for the golden goal.
Pellegrini made six saves for the Pride while Delaware counterpart Borja Barbero finished with nine saves.
