HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Elon University men's soccer team battled back from an early deficit to tie the match, but was unable to hold off a late goal from Hofstra as the Phoenix fell to the Pride, 3-2, in a Colonial Athletic Association road match on Saturday night, Sept. 21, at the Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
 
The Phoenix moves to 2-4-1 overall on the season and 0-2 in league play as Elon played its first true road contest of the season. Hofstra went to 4-3 on the year with a 2-1 ledger versus CAA competition.
 
The Rundown
The Phoenix quickly found itself down by two scores just three minutes into the match. Hofstra's Matthew Vowinkel headed in a shot inside the first minute of the match to give the Pride a 1-0 lead off a corner kick.
 
Hofstra followed with its second score inside the third minute on another header. A cross from the right side found the head of a streaking Petter Soelberg, who sent it to the back left corner past the hands of keeper Alex Lorne for a 2-0 advantage for the Pride.
 
Elon continued to attack to start the second half and eventually broke through with its first score of the match. Nick Adamczyk sent in a low cross into the box that was redirected by John Walden, who slotted his first goal of the season in the 48^th minute and trimmed Hofstra's lead to 2-1.
 
In the 65^th minute, the Phoenix found the equalizing goal off the foot of Iñigo Bronte. The Pamplona, Spain, native caught the goalkeeper out of position and chipped a shot from outside the 18-yard area that bounced in front of the netminder before going over his head and into the net to level the match at 2-2.
 
The Pride was able to respond just 11 minutes later. Hofstra fired a shot from the left side that bounced around the box before a tap-in from Stefan Mason put the Pride up for good at 3-2. The game would end with Elon getting one more shot to tie the match in the 88^th minute, but Adamczyk's attempt was blocked by the defense as Hofstra hung on for the win.
 
Hofstra ended the game with 14 shots and six on goal while Elon amassed eight in the game with three on target. Adamczyk, Walden and Bronte each had two shots each to pace the maroon and gold.
 
Up Next
The Phoenix is back at home on Wednesday, Sept. 25, hosting UNCG on its home pitch at Rudd Field. That match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.