MSOC: Hofstra Starts Road Slate With Games At Army West Point And St. John’s

Hempstead, N.Y. – Victories against a nationally ranked foe and a former conference rival will push Hofstra into the season's first road games with momentum as the Pride takes on Army West Point on Friday at 12:30 p.m. before heading to St. John's for a Sunday clash at 8 p.m.

The Pride is 2-0 after knocking off No. 15 Syracuse on Opening Day. Hofstra then shut out Vermont, 4-0, to take to the road riding the program's best start since the 2012 squad went 2-0. Hofstra has not started a season 3-0 since the 2002 team began the year with four consecutive victories.

Both games will feature live video, including Sunday's game shown on ESPN 3. Live statistics will also be available.

Junior midfielder Joseph Holland raced a great start in 2015 by earning the Colonial Athletic Association's first Player of the Week award after scoring three goals and totaling seven points. Holland scored twice versus former America East-rival Vermont and once against Syracuse. Holland is already halfway to matching his career high of six goals set during his freshman campaign of 2012 (he did not play in 2013).

Vying for time at forward during the opening week were sophomore forwards Mani Walcott and Meshack Eshun Addy, who each scored goals against Vermont. Walcott played mostly as midfield in his first year but showed he can be a force at forward when he scored the game-winning goal versus the Catamounts. Walcott converted junior Harri Hawkins' touch pass for the 55th-minute strike and Eshun Addy added an 80th-minute goal. Eshun Addy needed 17 games to score one goal as a freshman and has already matched that total this year.

Senior goalkeeper Patric Pray capitalized on the offensive support in making 12 saves through the first two games. The only goal he surrendered was on a Syracuse penalty kick. By stopping all three on-target Vermont shots, Pray registered his 12th career shutout to move into fourth place on the team's all-time list.

Hofstra is 1-1-1 all-time against Army West Point in a series that started in 1969. The teams have not played since 1984, according to Hofstra's records. The Black Knights were selected sixth the preseason poll with 85 points and will be playing at Clinton Field for the first time this season when the Pride comes to visit for its home opener.

The Black Knights (0-2) lost to Air Force, 1-0, in double overtime in the season opener before dropping a 1-0 decision to Denver to cap the Colorado trip. Junior defender Christian Clark was named the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and keyed a back line that has allowed just one goal in regulation.

Hofstra is 1-9-1 in the all-time series against St. John's. Hofstra will be playing St. John's for the second consecutive year after traveling to Queens and playing the Red Storm to a tie in 2014. That marked the first time the schools faced since 1994. Hofstra has not won in the series since 1983.

St. John's was picked to finish sixth in the Big East and returns a total of 15 players from last season's roster, including nine letter-winners. Defender Jean Leveille and goalkeeper Jordan Stagmiller started all 18 games a season ago and lead a group of six returners that started at least five contests. One of the most-disciplined teams in the league throughout the regular season, St. John's committed the second-fewest fouls and also received the second-fewest yellow cards. The Red Storm fell to No. 13 Maryland and No. 14 Indiana to start the season.

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Players Mentioned

#19 Meshack Eshun Addy: M; 6' 1"; Sophomore

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#19 Meshack Eshun Addy
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: M

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

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

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

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