Syracuse men’s soccer saw its 2025 campaign come to an end Thursday night, falling 2-0 to Hofstra in the NCAA Championship First Round. The Orange closed the season at 9-8-3, while the Pride advanced to face defending national champion Vermont in Sunday’s second round.
Hofstra built its lead quickly in the opening half. The Pride converted a penalty in the 19th minute after a foul in the box, then doubled the advantage seven minutes later when Daniel Burko finished a chance created by Laurie Goddard. Syracuse struggled to settle into the match during that early stretch, facing a compact and efficient Hofstra attack.
The Orange responded with renewed energy after halftime, controlling possession for long stretches and generating 13 second-half shots. Despite the push, Syracuse couldn’t find a breakthrough against a Pride defense that blocked lanes and limited clean looks in the box. Goalkeeper Tomas Hut kept the match within reach, registering four second-half saves and finishing with five on the night.
Syracuse ultimately outshot Hofstra 18-13 and earned a 6-4 edge in corner kicks but was unable to capitalize on its late opportunities. Four Orange players — Hut, Tim Brdaric, Kelvin Da Costa, and Kristjan Fortier — played the full 90 minutes as the team sought to mount a comeback that never materialized.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].