HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Senior Ryan Gracia scored twice as the
George Mason men's soccer team rallied for a 3-2 victory over Colonial Athletic
Association foe Hofstra in double overtime Wednesday night at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
Freshman Leo Stolz scored the equalizer for Mason in the 71st minute
as Gracia netted the game-winner with one minute left into overtime to push the
Patriots to 7-6-3 this season and 4-4-1 in league action with two matches
remaining. Hofstra dipped to 6-9, 3-6.
Gracia put the Patriots on the board in the 30th
minute scoring on a half volley off an attempted clear by the Pride for his
fourth goal of the season.
Hofstra answered in the 43rd minute when Shaun
Foster headed in a Chris Griebsch free kick to knot the score at 1-all just
before intermission. The Pride outshot the Patriots 13-to-7 in the opening
stanza, including a 4-1 shots on goal edge as goalkeeper Sean Cote came up
strong for the Patriots recording three saves in the period.
Foster replicated his first goal of the night with just
under eight minutes expired in the second half to put the Pride up 2-1. From
40-yards out, Griebsch sailed a free kick into the box as Foster headed the kick
in for the advantage.
The Pride turned to its defense to hold the lead for the
next 18 minutes before the Patriots broke through in the 71st
minute. Gaining possession near midfield from Hofstra, Stolz carried the ball
to the top of the box where he fired a shot that tipped the hands of Pellegrini
and rolled in to tie the contest at 2-2.
The Patriots saw a couple scoring opportunities in the final
minutes of regulation, but Pellegrini was equal to the task making six saves in
the stanza.
Mason outshot Hofstra 4-2 in overtime before scoring the game-winner
at the 109 mark. Redshirt-junior Paul Andrews sent a long pass up the right
side to find the foot of Gracia as the Patriot was able to put it past the
hands of Pellegrini to seal the victory for Mason with his second goal of the
night. The win marked the first road win of the season for the Patriots.
Stolz led the Patriots with eight shots in the contest,
including five on frame, while Gracia attempted five shots, connecting on two.
Mason finished the contest with a 9-7 shots on goal advantage and outshot
Hofstra 24-21. Cote played the full game in net, recording four saves, while
Pellegrini recorded six stops.
Mason returns home next to welcome Georgia State
on Saturday, October 29 at 3 p.m. as part of a doubleheader Senior Day with the
women's team. The contest also marks the Game of the Week as Mason students
with a valid Mason ID will receive a free Chick-fil-A sandwich while supplies last.
