Hempstead, N.Y. –  Junior forward Maid Memic scored two goals through the first 21 minutes and senior goalkeeper Roberto Pellegrini posted four saves to make the lead stand up in Hofstra’s 2-1 non-conference win over Monmouth Sunday afternoon at sunny Hofstra Soccer Stadium.

Memic notched his first career multi-goal game, scoring less than five minutes apart to stake Hofstra to a 2-0 lead. The Pride moved  back to .500 with the victory at 3-3-1 while Monmouth dropped to 1-4-2.

Freshmen Ignacio Gorrono had two assists and Mario Ruiz added one assist. Hofstra’s defensive unit held Monmouth to just two total second-half shots. Hofstra improved to 3-0 at home with each victory coming via a 2-1 score.

Memic, who was named to the Colonial Athletic Association’s all-preseason team, entered the contest with one goal this season but racked up two goals before the first half’s midway point. The co-captain gained possession of Gorrono’s deflected shot and scored from nearly eight yards out in the 16th minute.

In the 21st minute, Memic made the stat sheet again when Ruiz passed it to him, facilitating a strike from 14 yards out that stayed low in beating Monmouth keeper Stephen Graziani. Gorrono was also credited with an assist on the play for a two-point game.

Memic logged his first-ever two-goal game and nearly had the hat trick with a strong 25th-minute header. Graziani went to the turf to grab the ball, keeping Hofstra ahead by just two goals. Monmouth capitalized on the play, scoring in the 25th minute when Colin Stripling’s rebound goal cut the visitor’s deficit to one.

Pellegrini stopped Derek Luke’s initial shot before Stripling scored his first of the season. But Hofstra’s defense would clamp down after halftime as a backline led by senior Tyler Botte and sophomore Marius Flateboe kept Monmouth’s offense in check. Only five Hawks tallied shots with no player finishing with more than two total attempts.

Pellegrini only needed to make one save in the final 45 minutes, which the Italian-born netminder did when he saved Monmouth reserve Dan Pizzimenti’s 68th-minute on-target attempt.

Ruiz’s assist marked his first collegiate point.

Hofstra will next be in action on Saturday with a home non-conference game versus New Hampshire at 2 p.m.

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