Hempstead, N.Y. – Hofstra scored a double-overtime goal for the second time in two home games this season as Ignacio Gorrono's shot from the top of the box hooked inside the net in the 108th minute to lift Hofstra to a 2-1 win over nationally ranked Brown Sunday afternoon at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
Gorrono scored both of Hofstra's goals, including a leaping header in the 66th minute that tied the game against a Brown squad that was ranked 25th by the NSCAA. Hofstra out-shot the Bears, 21-8, to help the Pride improve to 2-2-1 on the season. Jack Gorab scored the only goal for Brown (1-2-1).
Senior goalkeeper Roberto Pellegrini made three saves and senior captain Tyler Botte keyed a defensive unit that held Brown to just one shot after halftime. Hofstra is 13-10-4 in its last 27 games against ranked opponents dating to 2004.
Senior forward Chris Griebsch equaled Brown's entire shot output by himself with eight attempts (including two on-target). His aggressiveness helped the Pride defeat a ranked foe for the third consecutive season . All three of those wins have been at home after Hofstra knocked off then-No. 15 Old Dominion last season and blanked then-No. 12 James Madison, 3-0, in the 2011 season finale.
Brown generated the early momentum when Gorab scored off a rebound near the right post in the 10th minute. Hofstra blocked Daniel Taylor's initial shot before Gorab converted on the second chance for the early lead.
The Bears would take the advantage into halftime. But Hofstra surged in the second half, recording 10 shots while holding Brown to zero in the category. The strong defense spurred the comeback bid and an all-freshmen connection teamed for the tying goal.
Rory Murphy worked in deep and sent in a cross deep in the box. Gorrono read the ball well off the foot and timed his jump perfectly to head the ball in for his first collegiate goal at 65:36. Brown goalkeeper Josh Weiner, who totaled five saves, made three saves in the half before Gorrono broke through.
Both teams managed just one shot in the first overtime. The Pride then looked for another golden goal in the final overtime period. Freshman Lerthon Theuma was the hero in Hofstra's season opener when he scored with one second left in double overtime at home versus Colgate on Sept. 1. This time, another first-year player was the hero as Gorrono scored from nearly 20 yards out, bending in a shot near the left sideline with 2:22 on the clock to help the Pride climb back to .500.
Hofstra started five freshmen with Gorrono, Murphy, Mario Ruiz, Reece Alexander and Nino Alfonso. The quintet made an impact with Gorrono notching the multi-goal game and Murphy tallying his first career point. Alfonso, a West Islip, N.Y. product, took three shots.
Sophomore Marius Flateboe was part of a defensive unit that allowed Hofstra to finish with a plus-13 shot differential while allowing just one shot in the final 62:38. In all, head coach Richard Nuttall played eight freshman as Hussein Mohammed, Theuma and Kyle Poetzsch made appearances as reserves.
Hofstra will next be in action with a non-conference road game at Vermont Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
