Ricardo Bocanegra gave the Cosmos a 2-0 advantage. (Photo courtesy of the Cosmos)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — The Cosmos struck for three goals in the opening half as they won their first preseason match of 2019, a 4-0 victory over Hofstra University at Hofstra Soccer Stadium Friday night.

The National Premier Soccer League club drew first blood in the 13th minute as Darwin Espinal connected from the left side of the box.

Ricardo Bocanegra doubled the lead with a hard strike from atop the penalty area in the 38th minute before Aly Hassan closed out the first-half domination with a 43rd-minute score.

Bledi Bardic found the range for the final goal on the hour.

The Cosmos will play six local college teams this season. After Hofstra, they will meet Queens College March 21, Adelphi University March 26, LIU Brooklyn April 5, Fordham University April 10 and St. John’s University April 16.

New York will participate in three competitions this year.

The team will open its NPSL season at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, N.Y. against the New York Athletic Club Saturday, April 27.

The Cosmos will play their Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup first-round match against an opponent and venue to be determined May 8. After the NPSL playoffs, the Cosmos will compete in the very first NPSL Founders Cup. They open at Chattanooga FC on Aug. 10 before returning to Mitchel Athletic Complex to welcome the Milwaukee Torrent Saturday, Aug. 17.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.