Hofstra Advances In NCAA Men's Soccer Championship, Elon Falls In PK's
Rob Washburn
In first-round action at the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship on Thursday night, Hofstra advanced with a 2-0 victory over Syracuse while Elon was eliminated 4-3 on penalty kicks after battling to 0-0 double-overtime draw at UNCG.
Hofstra 2, Syracuse 0
Box Score
CAA Player of the Year Laurie Goddard recorded a goal and an assist in the opening 26 minutes to lift Hofstra past host Syracuse, 2-0, in the first round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.
The Pride advances to Sunday’s second round where it will meet defending national champion Vermont, which edged Hofstra, 1-0, in the second round of last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Goddard took advantage of a foul in the box in the 19
th minute and converted a penalty kick for his 12
th goal of the season to put Hofstra on top, 1-0.
The Pride doubled its advantage in the 26
th minute as an 8-yard shot from Goddard was blocked by the Orange keeper, but it bounced out to Daniel Burko, who buried the rebound into an open net for his 12
th goal of the year.
Hofstra’s defense was in control from there, holding Syracuse without a shot on goal in the opening half and to just three in the match. Sean Bohan took over in goal for the Pride in the second half and made all three stops as Hofstra recorded its seventh shutout of the year.
UNCG 0, Elon 0 (2ot) (UNCG advances 4-3 on PKs)
Box Score
CAA champion Elon saw its season come to a disappointing end, falling 4-3 on penalty kicks after battling to a 0-0 double-overtime draw at UNCG.
The Phoenix was outshot 23-4 in the contest, but got an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Jackson Leavitt, who made six saves and recorded his 12
th clean sheet of the season.
Leavitt turned away the Spartans’ only attempt on goal in the first half with a diving stop of a 20-yard shot in the 17th minute. He came up big again in the 70
th minute, denying a 10-yard shot towards the right post, and made a kick save on a one-on-one chance in the 74
th minute.
Elon’s only shot on goal came in the 104
th minute when Jordin Wilson drove into the right side of the box but had his attempt toward the upper right corner knocked away.
In penalty kicks, Elon had its opening attempt hit the crossbar before making the next two. After a UNCG kick hit the crossbar, the Phoenix was able to pull even at 3-3 before the Spartans converted their fifth attempt to take the match.