The Hofstra University field hockey team remains undefeated at home after their victory against the University of California, Davis 2-1 on Sunday, Sept. 21. The Pride improved to 5-2 on the season, eclipsing their 2024 season win total of four in 12 fewer games.
Kesia Richardson had two first-half goals off penalty corners which catapulted the Pride to the victory. With Luci Hollister unavailable for the game, sophomore Tessa Lambright made her first start since Oct. 15, 2024, and she allowed just one goal in the first quarter.
The offense started fast and furious, with the Pride jumping on the Aggies early with a penalty corner in the first minute. Richardson was denied by UC Davis goaltender Addy Collingwood.
“I think we played pretty fast,” said Hofstra head coach Hillary Fitts. “I would like to see a couple more goals and we had a few calls back. Overall, we worked hard and worked well today.”
Teresa Karoff inserted on the Pride’s next penalty corner that was set by Jamie Mc Millian and passed off to Richardson at the top left side of the shooting circle. Richardson ripped her shot toward the right post and deflected off a UC Davis defender and into the back of the net.
UC Davis responded with 12 seconds left in the first quarter. Beth Munro-Morris put home the Aggies’ goal unassisted. That goal was just one of two shots on goal for UC Davis, both coming on penalty corners.
The Pride reclaimed the lead early in the second quarter on Richardson’s second corner goal. She inserted the ball to Gwenn van Dijk, whose initial shot was turned away. Richardson hawked down the rebound and drove it inside the near post.
“There were certain lines that were available to [Richardson],” Fitts said. “She was able to put them in the back of the net.”
In Hofstra’s net, Lambright made one save in her first start in nearly a year. Hollister started all of Hofstra’s first six games.
“[Lambright] stepped up this week with a team-first mentality,” Fitts said. “That allowed her to step in and make the saves that she needed to. She’s been very good in the cage this week.”
As the game wound down, the Pride peppered the Aggies’ cage with nine shots and five corners in the second half but could not find twine a third time.
The Pride sit second in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) at 5-2 and are the winners of two straight entering their first game of conference play.
“UC Davis and Villanova [University] play very similarly to Drexel [University],” Fitts said. “We are taking a lot of pieces we had from this week and last week and looking forward to practicing with intentionality for Drexel.”
The Pride will host the Dragons at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26.
