HEMPSTEAD, New York –UNCW goalkeeper Trey Smiley recorded a career-high seven saves, but the sixth-seeded Seahawks fell 1-0 at fourth-seeded Hofstra in the 2024 Coastal Athletic Association Men's Soccer Championship Game on Saturday night at Captains Field.

The first-ever matchup between UNCW (6-9-5) and Hofstra (14-4-2)  in the CAA Finals was a tightly contested battle in which both longtime CAA contenders were limited to three shots in a scoreless first half.

The game remained without a goal deep into a second half that featured six saves by Smiley until a Seahawks own goal in the 81st minute pushed the Pride ahead 1-0.

Hofstra withstood a final UNCW attack to claim its fourth straight CAA Championship and secure the league's automatic qualifier berth to next week's NCAA Tournament.

Smiley, junior Jack Clarkson and fifth-year Zach Sauer were named to the CAA All-Tournament Team for the Seahawks.

GAME NOTES: UNCW made its fourth CAA Finals appearance and first since 2019 … The No. 4 and No. 6 seeds met in the CAA Championship Game for the first time in league history … UNCW upset No. 2 Drexel and No. 3 Monmouth to reach the Finals … Hofstra held a 13-5 shot advantage … UNCW was the first No. 6 seed to make the CAA Championship Game since James Madison in 2014 … The Seahawks or Pride have appeared in the last eight CAA Finals … The two teams last met in the CAA Tournament in 2022 in Wilmington.