Mason Defeats Hofstra in CAA Quarterfinals

By Broadside Staff Writer Brendan Murphy

For the first 54 minutes, both George Mason University and Hofstra University were looking to break the scoreless tie. In a 30-minute span, the Patriots came up on top with five goals to defeat the Pride in a one-sided affair in the CAA Quarterfinals match at George Mason Stadium.

With the 5-0 victory over the sixth-ranked Pride, 6-9-4 (6-4-1 CAA), the Patriots improve their record to 11-6-2 (6-4-1 CAA) and advance to the semifinal round of the CAA Championship. Mason is set to play the number two seed William & Mary Tribe on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of top-seeded UNC Wilmington.

“Right now we don’t think anyone can beat us. It’s not cocky, it’s just confidence. We are playing really well and everybody is just together. That should take us all the way,” said freshman midfielder Ryan Gracia.

In the 55th minute, senior forward Lucas Pardew chipped a shot past freshman goalkeeper Greg Cumpstone from the right side into the top left corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season. Senior defender Jonathan Borrajo assisted Pardew, earning his second of the season.

“Five different people scored five goals. Each person is doing their role really well. This guy [Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe] has put six goals and six assists. Everyone is just playing their role. First half was kind of poor, but as soon as the first goal got in, the game opened up,” said Pardew.

In the 65th minute, senior forward Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe, who recently earned his second consecutive CAA Player of the Week honor, slashed through the box and scored a header into the right side of the net for his team-leading sixth goal. Redshirt sophomore Irvin Martinez and senior defender Hugh Fike were credited with assists on the score.

Adjeman-Pamboe, who scored in his third consecutive game, has no idea why CAA teams have not been able to figure out a way to stop the star player’s hot streak.

“It is like Fro says, I am unpredictable. I check back, I cut, I am always dancing on the ball and my teammates put me in good positions so that allows me to do well,” said Adjeman-Pamboe.

“We were bitter about the way we lost to them [Hofstra] last time, especially because we outshot them 18-5 on our home field. They scored on their second chance after the half. It just left a bad taste in our mouth and tonight we were more critical in our chances,” said Adjeman-Pamboe.

The Patriots added to their lead with a goal in the 72nd minute from Gracia on a breakaway. The team leading scorer Adjeman-Pamboe earned his team-leading sixth assist.

“As a team we are peaking at the right time and everybody is coming together really well,” said Gracia.

The Patriots then earned a 4-0 lead in the 82nd minute when sophomore midfielder Anthony Han scored his second goal of the season off an assist from freshman forward Parker Walton.

Walton finished off the five-goal 30-minute scoring span with his fourth goal of the season in the 85th minute to seal the 5-0 victory.