TEANECK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team could not erase a two-goal second half on Thursday night at University Stadium, before falling to Hofstra, 2-1. With the victory, the Pride improves to 2-1-2 on the season, while the Knights fall to 1-3-1 overall.

The visitors scored a pair of goals within two minutes of each other less than 10 minutes into the second half, which put FDU down two goals in the second 45 minutes in as many home contests. The Pride's Maid Mermic made a move just outside the middle of the 18 yard line and beat Knights' goalkeeper Matthew Weigner (Warrington, Pa/Central Bucks South) with a shot to the lower-left corner of the net for the 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute.

Nearly two minutes later, Mermic delivered a pretty pass in heavy traffic right in front of the goal to a streaking Joseph Holland, who beat Weigner to the right corner of the goal to increase Hofstra's lead to 2-0.

But FDU quickly got back into the match three minutes later when junior Deshawn Forbes (Kingston, Jamaica/St. George's College) delivered a beautiful deep ball down the right flank to senior Miguel Escobar (Medellin, Columbia/The Columbus School), who ripped a shot that deflected off a Pride defender and found the back of the net to make it 2-1. The goal was Escobar's first of the season.

In the 71st minute, it appeared that the Knights were about to tie the contest, after sophomore Enver Caymaz (Pompton Lakes, N.J./Pompton Lakes) found himself with a perfect opportunity for the equalizer. However, his chance traveled wide left of the goal.

Near the end of the match in the 89th minute, Caymaz ripped a shot in the box that was somehow blocked by a Hofstra defender, and the rebound bounced to senior Nico Wright(St. Catherine, Jamaica/Jamaica College), who also saw his shot blocked as well. The scoring chance was the last for FDU, as the Pride was able to escape with the 2-1 victory.

Hofstra outshot the Knights, 11-9, and held a one-shot advantage in each half. Each side managed four corner kicks in the contest.

Weigner took the loss between the pipes and made one save. Pride goalkeeper Patric Pray also made one save.

FDU will return to action on Monday, Sept. 15 when it hosts Iona at University Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

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