Hofstra Blanks Georgia State, 1-0
Hempstead, N.Y. - Junior Shaun Foster scored off a header in the 77th minute and senior Adam Janowski made a career-high six saves in his first collegiate shutout to lift Hofstra to a 1-0 victory over Georgia State in a Colonial Athletic Association matchup on Saturday afternoon.
Janowski (Coram, N.Y.) registered the best outing of his collegiate career, turning aside four shots in the first half and two in the second-including a diving stop in the 88th minute-to help Hofstra improve to 8-3-1 overall and 2-2 in conference play. Georgia State dropped to 3-7 and 0-3.
Hofstra has won two straight and four of the last five games to move back to .500 against the CAA. The Pride also improved to 4-1 at Hofstra Soccer Stadium this season.
The Pride finally broke through late in the second half thanks to Foster's (Southport, England) second goal of the season when he scored off a free kick at 76:08. Hofstra drew a foul on the Panthers, allowing junior Chris Griebsch (Dessau-Rosslau, Germany) to take the kick off the set piece. Griebsch lofted a high-arching cross into the box, allowing Foster to out-jump GSU defenders near the right post for the scoring strike.
Both of Foster's goals this season have been game-winners. His first goal proved to be the difference in a 2-1 win at Albany on Sept. 9.
Griebsch assist marked his team-leading sixth helper. The midfielder is tied with sophomore Maid Memic (Kozarac, Bosnia) for the squad lead in points with 14.
Hofstra and Georgia State were evenly matched throughout. The teams finished tied in shots with 13 with both schools notching six in the opening half and seven attempts in the second. The Pride posted a slight 7-5 edge in corners, though neither team could generate quality chances coming off the edges.
In a tight game, Janowski was the difference. The fifth-year senior, who has started the last six games in place of the injured Roberto Pellegrini, improved to 5-2 this season in giving Hofstra a huge lift.
Janowski made four saves in the opening half and showed great athleticism in the second half. After Hofstra took the lead, Georgia State mounted multiple threats to try and get the equalizer. But Janowski made the play of the day by diving to his left to stop Caleb Kernan's shot inside the box with just 2:08 left in the match.
In the final minute, the Panthers fired two shots, including one on target that Janowski stopped with eight seconds left to preserve the victory and the first clean sheet of his NCAA career.
Defenders Foster, junior Tyler Botte (North Babylon, N.Y.) and seniors A.J. Laza (Coram, N.Y.) and Thomas Bekas(Bay Shore, N.Y.) played tight defense in front of Janowski has Hofstra held an opponent to one goal or fewer for the fourth time in five games.
Senior captain Stephan Barea (Levittown, N.Y.) complemented the defense with his speed on the edge while fellow senior Mike Annarumma (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) came off the bench to fire two shots.
Hofstra will play Towson on Wednesday at home with a 7 p.m. start.
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