Hempstead, NY (September 27, 2008) Sophomore Joey Syfert and junior Stephan Minyono and scored the two Panther goals in Georgia State's 2-2 double overtime contest against Hofstra in their CAA opener.
The Pride got off to a strong start as senior defender Corey Gudmundson scored the first goal of the game in the 5th minute. Hofstra would keep the lead through halftime and 10 minutes into the second half before Syfert would put the Panthers on the board.
Junior Donald Kirkland had the ball about 25 yards out and played a pass into the left edge of the box to Syfert. Syfert then ripped a low shot from a sharp angle at the feet of Pride goalkeeper James Winters. Syfert hit the shot with enough force that the ball travelled through Winters and into the left side of the net.
The Pride retaliated quickly and regained the lead in the 27th minute as sophomore midfielder Steven Ehrichs scored a goal off an assist by teammate Rob Youhill.
The Hofstra lead did not last for long as the Panthers aggressively tried to even the score. Minyono attempted a shot on goal less than a minute after the Pride regained the lead.
The tying goal was scored when the Panthers managed to break down the middle of the field. Sophomore Joe Castaldo chipped a pass into the middle of the box, and midfielder Ayokunle Lumpkin out jumped the Pride defender to win the header. The ball popped up in the air, and Minyono crashed down the middle unmarked and blasted the shot into the net from 10 yards. Castaldo and Lumpkin are both credited with the assist. That marks Minyono's fifth goal of the season as he currently leads the team in goals.
Senior goalkeeper Filipe Carvalho ended the day with five saves to keep the tie. "Filipe played an amazing game for us tonight. He really had a couple of outstanding saves. There was also great leadership from the seniors in the back, Francesco Barbera and Spenser Sumpter," stated Georgia State head coach Kerem Daser.
The Panthers played an aggressive game and led the Pride in shots 18-10. Lumpkin led the Panthers with seven shots, two on goal, and one assist. Midfielder Linus Warendh and Minyono made three shots a piece, while midfielder Joe DeVito, defender Barbera, and midfielder Kirkland each had one shot.
"Overall, I thought it was a great effort from us. The guys showed character and really fought for this tie. I always say that Hofstra is one of the toughest places to play in the country. It was Alumni Night, so there was a lot of tradition and experience out there tonight. I'm very proud of our guys to go out there and out shoot them. The conference tournament is our goal and I think today helped us get ready for that," commented Daser.
The Panthers (4-2-2) look ahead to October 4th when they play host CAA foe Northeastern at 2 p.m. Admission is free to all soccer games held at Panthersville.
