By Alexandra Licata -- STAFF WRITER
The Hofstra men’s soccer squad tied with Elon 1-1 on Saturday night at Hofstra Soccer Stadium to remain unbeaten in nine of its past 10 Colonial Athletic Association openers.
It is the third tie the Pride, now 1-3-3 on the season, have drawn in their last four games. Elon is now 3-0-3 and remains unbeaten.
“I think it was a good ol’ CAA game. Blood and guts, fire and brimstone. Everybody wanted it,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “It was a very even game … I think either team could have won it.”
Both teams had opportunities to score throughout the first half including trading free kicks within the span of two minutes, but the shots by both teams sailed high.
Elon struck first 25 minutes into the half when an offsides call on the Pride allowed Ronni Mleczkovicz to take a direct free kick for the Phoenix.
Hofstra goalie Alex Ashton was unable to make the save on the ball, which landed in the upper right corner of the net. It was his first goal of the season.
Hofstra responded when Danny Elliott tied the game with 13 minutes to go in the first half.
Elon goalie Matthew Jegier came out of the net to try and stop the Pride from getting any further into the box, but misplayed the ball, allowing Elliott to take a shot on the empty goal to tie the game and score his second goal of the season.
He now leads the team in scoring. The goal was only the second Jegier has allowed this season.
With both teams tied in the second half, Ashton made two key saves for the Pride to keep the Phoenix from scoring a second goal.
The Pride has not allowed more than one goal in their last four games.
“I still want him to be a little more aggressive coming out for the ball … he’s an excellent keeper doing a wonderful job,” Coach Nuttall said. “He’s making the saves he should and he’s doing a rock steady job for this team.”
Hofstra had an opportunity to score with five minutes remaining in the second half when the Pride received their first corner kick of the night, but Jegier caught the ball to prevent a possible shot. The Phoenix took six corner kicks on the night, while the Pride took two.
Sophomore Luke Brown had an opportunity to score in the second overtime period when he was able to break through Elon’s defense, but Jegier made the save.
However, he was unable to secure the ball, allowing Oscar Ramsay to pick up the rebound and take a kick, but Jegier made a second save to keep the Pride from scoring.
Elon outshot the Pride 14-13 on the night, but Hofstra led in shots on goal with five.
Hofstra returns to the field on Tuesday for a non-conference matchup against local Ivy League school Columbia at Hofstra Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.