By Amanda Brody
After advancing to the semi-finals of the CAA in a comeback win over Delaware on Nov. 1, Hofstra fell to James Madison on Saturday, 1-0, but looks forward to next season with a new field and a new turf.
Having home field advantage has given the Pride the upper hand this season, which was certainly evident in the 2-1 win over Delaware. On Saturday, however, Hofstra traveled to Virginia Beach, Va., to play the second seeded and No. 17 James Madison, who the Pride had defeated at home the week befor,e 4-1.
Only halfway through the first half, JMU freshman Meghan Bain scored the only goal of the contest. Hofstra had many opportunities to score in the second, taking seven shots but coming up empty on all of them. Charlia Warner was able to set up two penalty corners and take a shot along with only seconds to go in the half.
Even though Hofstra was not successful in breaking into the scoring column, head coach Kathy De Angelis said the first half was “outstanding, we controlled the entire half and I can’t say we’ve played a greater second half. It was really one of the most exciting games I’ve seen all year.” The Dukes went on to win the CAA championship, defeating No. 3 Old Dominion, 1-0, a team that had been undefeated in the CAA in the regular season. The Pride came out very aggressive in the second half, but unfortunately the team’s effort was not enough.
“Had we been able to come out as strong as we did in the second half in the first half, it certainly would have been a different outcome,” De Angelis said.
Hofstra looks forward to getting a new field hockey surface next year and its own field, which will be located right across from the Jets practice field. Right now, the team does not play on a surface that is appropriate to field hockey because it is not water based and contains foam, which makes the ball bounce. One reason that Hofstra had such a difficult time on the road this season was because the team had to get used to the different surfaces. James Madison certainly had the advantage in Virginia Beach, as the Dukes were accustomed to the same surface.
Hofstra senior goalkeeper Jessica Cowperthwait had a very successful season with 111 saves and will be graduating in May. Luckily for the Pride, the team has two other goalkeepers waiting in the wings. Freshman Kieran Castagnola was out this season with a shoulder injury and junior Nadine Surak has already seen some playing time this season. Hofstra will carry three net-minders next season, which will most likely create some good competition.
“I don’t think she’s [Cowperthwait] replaceable, but we will reload,” De Angelis said.
With an overall record of 13-7 this season, the Pride has received national and recognition the program hopes to continue to build upon.
“This really brought a lot of marquee talent in the freshman class, so we’re going to be looking forward to next year,” De Angelis said. “[The] main focus is going to be working on technical skill, tactical skill and certainly fitness and getting as strong and as fast as we can get,” De Angelis said of next season.
With a new surface, their own home field and major players who will be returning next season, Hofstra is looking forward to a great season next year with even higher expectations.
“The future itself cannot be any brighter, the most important thing that we’ve been given has been an opportunity to get our own field hockey field designed at a national caliber level of hockey pitch,” De Angelis said. “We’re looking forward to this new turf.”
Charlia Warner and Hofstra field hockey has high hopes for next year.