Oct. 29, 2004

Box Score

Hempstead, N.Y. - Junior defender Damian O'Rourke (Shannon, Ireland) and senior midfielder Matt Mendy (Banjul, Gambia) each scored goals in the final five minutes of regulation as the George Mason Men's Soccer came from behind for a 2-1 win over Hofstra on Friday evening at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.

With the win, George Mason improves to 7-9-1 overall and 3-4 in the CAA while snapping a six-game losing skid. Hofstra, meanwhile, slips to 6-9-1 overall and 2-4-1 in the CAA and likely needs a win over #15-ranked James Madison on Sunday to qualify for the CAA Tournament.

Hofstra took a 1-0 lead with 28:18 remaining on a goal from senior midfielder Pablo Lara (Lodi, NJ). Freshman forward Chris Cox (Nottingham, England) got the ball down the right sideline and beat a George Mason defender before sending a hard cross into the middle of the penalty area. The ball took one bounce before finding its way through to Lara at the far post, who one-timed a half-volley from eight yards that rocketed inside the right post for his fourth goal of the season.

It appeared that Lara's goal would be the difference, but George Mason struck twice in the final five minutes to steal the win. The tying goal was set up on a corner kick as junior forward Teba McKnight (Couva, Trinidad) lofted a bending ball to the far post. Freshman midfielder Adam Lobene (Rochester, NY) crashed in from the weak side unmarked and headed a pass back into the center of the penalty area from near the end line. O'Rourke then came down the middle and was able to head the ball under the crossbar from six yards out to even the score at 1-1 with 4:55 to play.

Just 1:04 later, George Mason struck again as it took advantage of a Hofstra turnover and counter-attacked with a three-on-two break. Senior midfielder Damien Quinn (San Diego, CA) and senior forward Barry Suber (Woodbridge, VA) worked a quick give-and-go along the right side before Quinn sent a through ball across the front of the penalty area. Mendy sprinted in from the left side and came in alone on Hofstra goalkeeper Matthias Gumbrecht (Hemhofen, Germany). Mendy gathered the ball in and calmly slotted a ball inside the left post from 12 yards out to put the Patriots ahead 2-1 with 3:51 left in the game.

Hofstra had one final good scoring opportunity in the final minute, as leading scorer Michael Todd (Cleveland, England) won a loose ball and briefly had a one-on-one situation near the top of the penalty area. However, senior defender Danny Climo (Wirral, England) held his ground and poked the ball away just before Todd could get off a shot attempt. Gumbrecht finished with four saves for the Pride, which was outshot 13-8. Senior goalkeeper John O'Hara (Foxford, Ireland) had two saves for the Patriots.