Sept. 26, 2001

Villanova, Pa. - A goal by midfielder Rishi Matadeen in the game's 87th minute snapped a 1-1 tie and lifted the Hofstra Pride to a 2-1 victory over Villanova in a game played here on Wednesday afternoon. Hofstra improved to 3-3-1 with the victory while Villanova fell to 2-4-0 overall, 1-2-0 in the Big East Conference.

Villanova enjoyed four great scoring chances in the game's first 10 minutes but couldn't get the ball past goalkeeper Daniel Greening. It was a Hofstra counterattack by forward Hughroy Daley that led to the goal. Daley was pulled down by Villanova's David Jones (London, England) above the box. Senior Patrick Geraghty then blasted the free kick past Wildcat goalie Pat Walsh (Allentown, Pa.) at the 18:11 mark to make it 1-0 Hofstra.

The Wildcats, though, bounced back with several more excellent scoring chances. Villanova broke through when freshman Jon Lopuski (Montville Township, N.J.) boomed a kick from 10 yards in front past Greening to knot matters at 1. Sophomore Dan Massimini (Downington, Pa.) was credited with an assist on the goal that came at 29:03.

The contest was tied at halftime and remained deadlocked throughout the second half. Finally, another free kick led to a Hofstra score. This time Geraghty chipped the free kick to Matadeen, who was parked near the far side post. Matadeen headed it past Walsh to make it a 2-1 final.

Greening made 11 saves in the Pride net while Walsh, making his first start of the 2001-02 campaign, stopped seven shots for the 'Cats.

Villanova returns to action on Saturday evening, when it travels to St. John's to meet the No. 2 ranked Red Storm at 7:30 p.m.