Matthew Vowinkel finished with two goals and an assist. (Photo courtesy of Hofstra)
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Buoyed by two goals and an assist from senior Matthew Vowinkel and a four-save effort by freshman Wessel Speel, the Hofstra University men came away with a 3-0 win over Drexel University at Hofstra Soccer Stadium to open Colonial Athletic Association play Saturday afternoon.
The Pride improved to 2-2 overall while Drexel dropped to 2-3.
The Pride got on the board at 26:44 as Vowinkel got on the end of a cross by senior Storm Strongin from the right side. Strongin intercepted the ball from a Drexel player and drove down the right sideline before whipping it into the box, where Vowinkel took a touch at the far post and tapped it into the back of the net.
Hofstra added a second goal 37 seconds into the second half. The Pride press forced a Drexel turnover deep in their own third. Vowinkel collected the ball and backheeled a pass to Luca Tausch, and the junior raced down the sideline with the ball before firing a driven pass across the Drexel goal and backline and into the path of freshman Ryan Carmichael, who didn’t miss the wide-open opportunity.
The hosts added the exclamation point through a penalty kick by Vowinkel. Junior Hendrik Hebbeker collected a loose ball after senior Jack Nuttall deflected a Drexel pass and eventually maneuvered himself into the penalty area, where he was brought down by a Drexel defender. Vowinkel stepped up and sent the opposing goalkeeper the wrong way for his second tally.
Drexel goalkeeper Stephen Kopaschilis made three saves.
The Pride will travel to Newark, N.J. to play NJIT Tuesday at 3 p.m.
