MSOC: Nationally Ranked Hofstra Takes On # 21 American And George Mason In Road Games

Hempstead, N.Y. – Nationally ranked Hofstra will be looking to tie the best season start in program history when the Pride plays American and George Mason in the Capitol Cup beginning Friday at 4 p.m.

The Pride is off to a 4-0 start and will be looking to match the 1985 squad for the best start ever in winning the season's first five games. Hofstra earned a ranking of 17th in the latest NSCAA national poll, and Friday's matchup will put Hofstra against a No. 21-ranked American (4-0) squad in Washington, D.C. in a game that will feature free live video (pending weather) and live statistics.

On Sunday, the Pride will face former Colonial Athletic Association rival George Mason at 1 p.m. in a game that will also feature live video and live statistics.

Senior goalkeeper Patric Pray has allowed just one goal in four games and helped the Pride carry a three-game shutout streak into the meeting against American. Pray increased his career shutout tally to 14, which trails only Greg Cumpstone by two for the second-most in program history despite playing in only his third season after transferring from Washington.

Pray's only goal allowed came on a penalty kick in an Opening Day over No. 15 Syracuse. He has not allowed a goal in the last 289:30 of action. Supporting the netminder has been a balanced offense led by junior midfielder Joseph Holland, who has registered at least one point in every game. Through four games, Holland is tied with UNCW's Colin Bonner for the CAA lead with 10 points and four goals. His two assists are tied for fourth.

The Pride is coming off a 2-0 win at St. John's that was the first win in the series since 1983. Junior Harri Hawkins showed great versatility in being moved off the back line into the midfield, complementing Holland by scoring Hofstra's first goal. Both of Hawkins' two career goals have come at St. John's after he also scored at Belson Stadium in 2014.

Hofstra is 2-9-1 all-time against American in a series that started in 1969. The teams have not played since 1992 and Hofstra's last victory came in 1972.

Like Hofstra, American is undefeated through four games. The Eagles will enter the Capitol Cup with momentum following a 4-0 win over Penn that marked the second straight shutout for the AU defense and goalkeeper Dylan Hobert, who made three saves. American will play Hofstra first and cap the tournament against Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday at 1 p.m.

A meeting of former Colonial Athletic Association rivals will cap Hofstra's Capitol Cup. Hofstra is 6-9-3 in the all-time series against George Mason (1-2). The Fairfax, Virginia-based school will face No. 2 Virginia on Tuesday. Entering the week, Edgar Zepeda was the only Patriots player to score multiple goals by notching two. His four points tied Stephen Durbin for the team lead, as Durbin posted a goal and two assists.

Hofstra is 4-0 to start a season for the first time since the 2002 squad also won the first four games. It is the third time that Hofstra has started 4-0 under Richard Nuttall since he started coaching in 1989. The 1999 squad also won the first four games. The last time a Hofstra team started 5-0 was 1985, which is the best opening-season mark in program history.

Hofstra earned the third spot in the latest NSCAA regional rankings, moving up from fifth in the Midwest poll. Hofstra is ranked the highest out of any mid-major in the regional poll and is the top-ranked CAA squad. The Pride holds a national ranking for the first time since Nov. 15, 2005.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#22 Harri Hawkins

#10 Joseph Holland

#1 Patric Pray

Players Mentioned

#22 Harri Hawkins

#10 Joseph Holland

#1 Patric Pray