The Hofstra University field hockey team blanked Sacred Heart University in their home opener, which was a thrilling 2-0 victory on Aug. 31. The win moves the Pride to 1-1 on the season as they continue out of conference play to open the season, while the Pioneers remain winless and fall to 0-2 on the year.
The Pride were fiery on offense, with 22 shots and 13 shots on goal. Thirteen of the Pride’s shots came in the first period. Despite the early shooting, Hofstra could not convert their shots to goals until the third period. Hofstra freshman Gwenn Van Dijk scored her first career goal as a member of the Pride to break open a tied game. Teresa Karoff continued to be a steadfast player for the Pride as she scored her second penalty stroke of the season in the Pride’s victory. The goal put the Pride up by two late in the game.
The Pride played a strong defense all around, allowing just 10 Pioneers shots on the day. Freshman goaltender Luci Hollister kept the Pioneers scoreless with five saves in her first career win in goal.
For the Pioneers, goalie Brianna Cooper notched 11 saves and allowed just two goals to the Pride.
The Pride took control early, with three penalty corners and seven shots within the first four minutes of play. Hofstra kept applying pressure in the first quarter, finishing with seven penalty corners and 13 shots in the first 15 minutes. Despite the early leg up on offense, the Pride were unable to score and take an early lead. Cooper was strong in the net for Sacred Heart with six saves in just the first quarter alone.
Hofstra was slowed down by the Sacred Heart defense in the second period. The Pioneers only gave up one shot while their offense woke up. Sacred Heart went from one shot in the first quarter to four in the second. An early back and forth resulted in a scoreless half that was highlighted by both defenses applying pressure and strong goaltending.
After about 40 minutes of play, Van Dijk grabbed a loose ball and smacked a shot into the Pioneer’s goal, breaking open a 0-0 tie with her first career goal.
With just under three minutes of game time left on the clock, the Pride were awarded a penalty stroke. The Pride once again called on Karoff – who scored on a penalty stroke in the first game against Albany. She successfully flew the ball past Raena Crandall to extend Hofstra’s lead to two. Karoff is now 2-0 on penalty strokes this season.
The Pride continue their out-of-conference schedule on Friday, Sept. 5, against Rider University at Cindy Lewis Stadium. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
