MSOC: Hofstra Opens 2015 Season On Friday Versus #15 Syracuse

Hempstead, N.Y. – The Hofstra Men's Soccer team will start the 2015 season against tough competition when the Pride takes on No. 15 Syracuse on Friday at 7 p.m. from Hofstra Soccer Stadium. Following the Opening Night match, the Pride will then host Vermont on Sunday at 12 p.m.

Both games will be part of single admission doubleheaders with the Hofstra Women's Soccer program. The Syracuse game will follow the women's home opener versus Columbia at 5 p.m. After Hofstra plays Vermont on Sunday, the women's team will take on Fairleigh Dickinson. Tickets for Friday's game can be purchased online here or through the ticket office at 516-HOF-TIXX (463-8499). For Sunday's doubleheader, click here.

Both games will feature free live video and audio via Pride Productions and Friday's game against the Orange can be heard on terrestrial radio on WRHU (88.7 FM).

After winning a share of the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title in 2014, the Pride were picked third in the league's preseason poll. The Pride has a diverse roster featuring natives of 10 countries. Hofstra has players on the roster from the United States, England, Germany, Scotland, New Zealand, Malta, Spain, Greece, Ghana and Norway.

Junior midfielder Joseph Holland finished last season eighth in the NCAA in total assists for all Division I players by posting nine helpers. Wright State's Eric Lynch led the nation with 13 assists. Holland, who had two assists in his freshman campaign in 2012, missed the entire 2013 season before returning with a tremendous statistical season last year.

Senior Daniel Grundei made a name for himself in the Colonial Athletic Association by becoming a captain as a sophomore for Towson. But when the Tigers discontinued the men's soccer program, Grundei decided to stay in the conference and transferred to the Pride. As one of Hofstra's captains in 2014, Grundei was a difference-maker as a defender. As a center back, Grundei has helped Hofstra post five straight shutouts at one point and eight shutouts overall. Grundei scored three game-winning goals and is back for his final collegiate season in 2015.
Holland and Grundei highlight a roster of nine returning player who started at least 12 games the previous season. Danny Elliott, Rory Murphy, Nino Alfonso, Harri Hawkins, Mani Walcott, Jon Fraser and goalkeeper Patric Pray are all back from a squad that went 10-6-3 and 5-2-1 in CAA play.

Hofstra will play Syracuse for the first time in program history. The Orange were ranked 15th in the preseason NSCAA poll. Syracuse made history in 2014 when it reached No. 1 in the nation for the first time in school history. Syracuse won a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division title and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament. The No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Orange earned a first-round bye before defeating Penn State at the SU Soccer Stadium, 2-1. Syracuse advanced to the NCAA Tournament third round where it lost to Georgetown, 1-0, on the road. The Orange finished the season with a 16-4-1 record, one win shy of the school single-season record for victories (17) set in 1982.

Hofstra is 5-5-1 in the all-time series against Vermont, including a1-0 win at home last season to snap a two-game losing streak in the series. The series dates to 1995 when both schools were members of the North Atlantic Conference and later in the America East. Grundei's 22nd-minute goal was the difference in last year's contest.

The Catamounts advanced to the America East Championship for the 10th time in 11 years under Jesse Cormier last season. UVM defeated Albany on the road in the quarterfinals before being upended by eventual College Cup participant UMBC in the semifinals.

Vermont, which went 8-9-2 overall in 2014, returns three of its top four scorers from a year ago, including America East All-Conference First Team selection Brian Wright. Wright ranked among the league leaders in goals (9) and points (21) last season.

Hofstra has won three out of the last six season openers and is 4-3-3 since 2005. The Pride played Northern Illinois to a scoreless draw on Opening Day in 2014 with Patric Pray making six saves. Hofstra was down to 10 players after an 89th-minute red card but held on for the tie. With the tie against NIU last year, Hofstra is 19-21-9 all-time on Opening Day in seasons in which game-by-game records are available. Hofstra's best stretch came from 2002-05 when the Pride won three times in four seasons in the opener.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Nino Alfonso: M; 6' 1"; Junior

#11 Danny Elliott: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#4 Jon Fraser: D/M; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#27 Daniel Grundei: D; 6' 2"; Senior

#22 Harri Hawkins: D; 6' 2"; Junior

#10 Joseph Holland: M; 5' 10"; Junior

#7 Rory Murphy: M/D; 6' 1"; Junior

#1 Patric Pray: GK; 6' 1"; Senior

#17 Mani Walcott: M; 6' 3"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#2 Nino Alfonso
: 6' 1"; Junior
: M

#11 Danny Elliott
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: F

#4 Jon Fraser
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: D/M

#27 Daniel Grundei
: 6' 2"; Senior
: D

#22 Harri Hawkins
: 6' 2"; Junior
: D

#10 Joseph Holland
: 5' 10"; Junior
: M

#7 Rory Murphy
: 6' 1"; Junior
: M/D

#1 Patric Pray
: 6' 1"; Senior
: GK

#17 Mani Walcott
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: M