HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Hofstra University men will open their 2020-21 season Friday afternoon when it takes on Syracuse in Albany, N.Y.

The match will take place at Afrim’s Sports Palace, an indoor facility and will kick-off at 1:30 p.m. No spectators are permitted. Due to the neutral site, there is no live video of the game. The availability of live statistics will be determined Friday based on the setup options at the venue.

The Pride is 1-2 all-time against Syracuse. The Orange have won the last two meetings, both at Syracuse, 4-3 in 2018 and 1-0 in 2016. Hofstra’s victory came at home in 2015, 2-1.

Hofstra returns 14 players from its 2019 squad that went 10-6-3 and advanced to the semifinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Championship.

Leading the way is senior forward Matthew Vowinkel, a 2021 MLS SuperDraft selection of FC Cincinnati. The New Hyde Park, N.Y. native was a first team All-CAA selection after leading the Pride with 13 goals and two assists. Senior midfielder Storm Strongin also returns after leading the Pride with seven assists in 2019.

Other returning starters include junior midfielder Luca Tausch (two assists), senior defender George O’Malley (three goals, two assists), junior forward Hendrik Hebbeker (four goals, two assists), sophomore midfielder Stefan Mason (one goal, two assists) and sophomore defender Shane Salmon (two assists).

Syracuse (0-3-2) played five matches in the fall. Freshman Deandre Kerr led the team with four points.

Following Friday’s opener, Hofstra will return home to host Fairleigh Dickinson Universiity Friday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. at Hofstra Soccer Stadium. The event is closed to the public as spectators will not be permitted.

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.