Queens, N.Y.— Sophomores Nino Alfonso and Harri Hawkins each scored their first collegiate goals and junior goalkeeper Patric Pray made three saves to help Hofstra play St. John's to a 2-2 tie in a non-conference matchup on Thursday night in front of 1,628 at Belson Stadium.
Hofstra scored two goals in the opening 13 minutes after being shut out in the first two contests. The Pride moved to 0-1-2 in the third leg of a season-opening five-game road swing.
Tim Parker and Dela Agbotse scored second-half goals for St. John's to erase a 2-0 deficit. Following Agboste's 47th-minute goal, the Red Storm tied it when Cody Albrecht sent in a free kick from almost 35 yards out. Parker gained separation in the box, timed his leap and headed the ball in for his first goal for the equalizer in the 62nd minute. St. John's moved to 0-2-1.
Alfonso scored Hofstra's first goal of 2014 just 1:05 into the contest. Sophomore Joseph Holland hit Alfonso with an outlet pass and West Islip, N.Y. native surged ahead of a defender and set a shot to the far left post that bounced off the frame and slid past the goal line for the 1-0 edge.
Alfonso, who played a most defensive role in his freshman season in 2013, recorded his first career point and goal on the play. Holland notched his first point since Sept. 12, 2012. Holland did not play last season.
Holland nearly gave Hofstra a two-goal lead with 33 minutes left in the opening half when he executed a dribbled move at the top of box before unleashing a left-footed shot that Jordan Stagmiller knocked the ball just over the crossbar. Stagmiller finished with four saves.
Hofstra sustained pressure and Hawkins scored his first career goal in the 13th minute with freshman Danny Elliott picking up the assist.
St. John's Mohamed Award nearly put the Red Storm on the board when his 29th-minute header screamed just wide of the right post. Pray saved the only two shots-on-goal he faced in the opening half to help the Pride take the 2-0 lead into the break.
Agbotse gave St. John's a jump coming out of the locker room with a goal 1:19 into the half. Agboste buried a side volley from about 10 yards out for the first Red Storm goal of the season. St. John's had previously been shut out by West Virginia and No. 15 Penn State.
Parker's goal knotted the score and Agbotse nearly put the Red Storm ahead with slightly less than nine minutes left in regulation. The forward gained a step on the Hofstra defense down the right flank. Pray came out to cut off the angle and Agboste shot it just over the crossbar and into the student section to keep it tied.
Hofstra nearly pulled ahead in the waning moments when Elliott Firth pushed a lead pass to Holland, who split the defense and fired a head-on open shot that hit the crossbar and went out of play with 2:03 left in regulation. Pray made a save on Agbotse's shot almost one minute later to send the game into overtime.
Holland again nearly factored in a potential game-winning goal, setting up Alfonso on the right side with a hard pass. Stagmiller came out and challenged the shot, smothering the ball almost midway through the first overtime period.
Hofstra will next be in action on Sunday with a non-league match at Rutgers. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Box Score
MSOC: Hofstra at St. John's Postgame (9/4/14)
