BALTIMORE — Loyola Maryland battled against the Pride, but could not find the finishing touch Tuesday night, falling to Hofstra 2-0 at Ridley Athletic Complex.
The Greyhounds (1-7-1) generated five shots in the second half, but Hofstra's defense held firm to preserve the shutout. Loyola finished with eight shots overall in the match.
Hofstra (6-1-2) struck twice in the opening 31 minutes. Ben Schulz opened the scoring in the 18th minute, finishing a feed from Axel Ruben. Schulz doubled the Pride's advantage in the 31st minute after combining with Jordan Hoey and Ruben.
Loyola had chances to answer before halftime. Carmine Iavarone and Lukas Cortes each put shots wide, while Tyler Flynn had an attempt blocked shortly before the break. Hofstra took a 2-0 lead into halftime despite the Greyhounds matching the Pride with three shots in the opening 45 minutes.
Loyola came out with more attacking pressure in the second half.
Edwin Espinal-Elvir had a shot blocked in the 56th minute, and Brandon Meminger followed with a shot that sailed high two minutes later. Flynn added another attempt in the 65th minute, but it went wide.
The Greyhounds continued to press late, with Cal Lackner having a shot blocked in the 84th minute and Omar Alexander Medrano putting an attempt wide in the 88th minute.
Connor O'Keefe kept Loyola within striking distance, making the Greyhounds' lone save of the night in the 70th minute on a shot from Hofstra's Jack Benham.
Loyola finished with five second-half shots compared with eight for Hofstra and held a 53%-47% advantage in overall possession. The Pride, however, held a 4-0 edge in corner kicks and finished with 11 shots to Loyola's eight.
