Atlanta (September 26, 2009) Georgia State men's soccer team suffered through two rain delays and in the 75th minute the game was called, awarding Hofstra the 2-0 victory in the conference home opener for the Panthers. Georgia State drops to 2-2-1, 0-1 on the season. The Panthers will look to rebound against Northeastern on Sat. Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. on the road.
Georgia State was looking for its first win against the Pride in four meetings between the teams but after a late goal in the first half Hofstra seized the advantage downing the Panthers 2-0 after 75 minutes of play. Junior forward for Hofstra Demont Mitchell found the ball inside the box and beat the Panthers goalie Vincent Foermer high into the net to make the score 1-0 Hofstra at half time.
"The first half of play was back-and-forth and I thought we almost scored before halftime on Caleb's (Kernan) breakaway, but Hofstra keeper made a big save. It was disappointing to let in a goal a minute after our chance," said Head Coach Kerem Daser. "It is always a battle with Hofstra. They have won the CAA title three out of the last five seasons and they are an experienced team."
The Panthers had plenty of opportunities in the first half of play with five shots on goal including a cross inside the box where freshman Caleb Kernan placed a shot that Hofstra goalie Greg Cumpstone made a great save on to preserve the score in the 43rd minute of play.
Also in the first half, two mintues earlier in the 42nd minute, freshman Juan Giraldo had a chance outside the box and kicked a well placed ball that was heading for the right corner until Hofstra goalie Cumpstone punched it away to keep the game tied heading into the half.
Before the second half could begin, lightening and rain halted play for a 25 minute delay. Heavy rain began to fall during the second half of play. In the 65th minute of play, Georgia State fouled Hofstra's forward Mitchell awarding him a penalty kick. Mitchell kick towards the right side and Panthers keeper Foermer got a hand on it but the ball deflected off his hand and into the left side of the goal to make the score 2-0 Pride. It was Mitchell's second goal of the match for Hofstra.
Just 11 mintues later, the pelting rains forced another delay and after a 45-minute delay the refrees deceided to call the match.
Panthers goalie Foermer finished the game with three saves as Georgia State came up just short.
"I hoped to finish the game but the field was flooded with the rain. We thank the supporters who came out in the rain to cheer us on. It is a long season and we need to regroup this week and get ready for for our next big CAA match in Boston with Northeastern."
Freshman forward Caleb Kernan finished the game with three shots on goal and senior Stephan Minyono finished the game with one shot on goal to pace the Panthers.
"We are a young team with six freshmen getting their first taste of conference play today. We put a bit of pressure in the second half and they countered and scored on the penalty. I think Christopher Peacos had a soild game for us as our center back alongside Ayokunle," added Daser.
Georgia State will return to action next weekend as they travel to take on Northeastern on Sat. Oct. 3 starting at 6 p.m.
