Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Hofstra University Athletics

THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
Rory Murphy
2
Winner James Madison JMU (8-7-4)
0
Hofstra HOFSTRA (10-6-3)
Winner
James Madison JMU
(8-7-4)
2
Final
0
Hofstra HOFSTRA
(10-6-3)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
James Madison JMU 1 1 2
Hofstra HOFSTRA 0 0 0

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | By Jim Sheehan

MSOC: Hofstra Falls To JMU In The CAA Quarterfinals

Hempstead, N.Y. – James Madison scored a goal in each half with Connor Coward notching a goal and an assist as the sixth-seed Dukes defeated third-seed Hofstra, 2-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association Men's Soccer Championship quarterfinals at  Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Saturday night.

Hofstra's record dropped to 10-6-3 record while James Madison improved to 8-7-4. Senior Josh Grant and Coward, a sophomore, scored goals for the Dukes as JMU advanced to the CAA Championship semifinals at top-seed Delaware next Friday and will face second-seed UNCW at 4 p.m. at Grant Stadium
 
Hofstra was making its third consecutive CAA Tournament appearance and entered the contest with back-to-back shutouts. But it was James Madison which held the early advantage in the contest

The Dukes dominated the play in the first half, outshooting the Pride, 8-2 while having the better scoring opportunities. Coward, who created havoc in the Pride defensive third all night, had the first scoring chance with a shot just outside the box that Hofstra junior Patric Pray stopped just 10:07 into the contest

Hofstra had their best chance of the period three minutes later when sophomore Nino Alfonso took a long pass off a free kick in the box. But his header went over the goal from 10 yards out.

JMU had another opportunity in the 23rd minute as Coward had a header from the middle of the box that Pray stopped. But the Dukes would get on the board in the 35th minute as Coward sent a cross in from the right sideline that senior Josh Grant headed into the far corner for his fourth goal of the season. The JMU goal ended Hofstra's 250:20 shutout streak.

The score remained at 1-0 until the 63:11 mark when Coward stole the ball along the sideline about 40 yards out, beat two Hofstra defenders and went in alone on Pray. Coward fired a low shot past the right side of the Pride goalie for his fourth goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.

Hofstra came to life in the second half and put the pressure on the Dukes after the second goal. Freshman Danny Elliot fired a shot from outshot the box that JMU goalie Kyle Morton stopped. In the 77th minute, sophomore Rory Murphy fired a shot high and wide from eight yards out.

Sophomore Mario Ruiz fired a blast from outside the box that whistled over the goal with 5:38 to play. In the 86th minute, Hofstra may have had their best chance of the contest when sophomore Joseph Holland hit a direct kick from 25 yards that Morton made a diving save on. The ensuing rebound by sophomore Harri Hawkins was stopped by Morton just off the post.
 
Hofstra outshot the Dukes, 11-7 in the second half but Morton made all five of his saves in the contest in the second half for JMU.
 
Senior forward Maid Memic likely played his final collegiate game. Memic notched 30 career goals for the Pride to finish fifth on the program's all-time list. He registered one shot against the Dukes.
Print Friendly Version