The Hofstra University women’s soccer team suffered its sixth consecutive draw in a 0-0 game against Campbell University on Sunday, Sept. 21. The sixth straight tie extends the program record and puts the Pride at a record of 3-1-6 overall and 0-0-2 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play. The Camels move to 2-4-3 on the year and 0-1-1 in conference play.
“It’s frustrating,” said Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough. “We played well again. I’m fed up of saying it. We’re not getting the reward we feel we deserve.”
Hofstra was in command for most of the game despite having no goals to attest for the offensive attack. The Pride put up 17 shots on the day, but only four of the shots were on target. Campbell goalkeeper Anaïs van Doesburg made some great stops to hold the Pride scoreless.
“Seventeen shots is a domination in the statistical category. Possession was really high for us as well,” Riddiough said. “The stats line is what Hofstra is about, and that’s what this performance was – it was a Hofstra performance except for the fact that we are anemic in front of the goal.”
Campbell was held to very few opportunities, as Hofstra’s defense and goaltending held down the fort for their fourth shutout of the season. The Camels had just six shots on the day, and two of them were on goal.
“[Campbell] had one good chance, and Lilly [Bailey] made a brilliant save, and that was it,” Riddiough said. “It should have been game over by that time.”
The Pride saw other opportunities in the nine corner kicks they earned but were unable to capitalize. The Camels were yet again beaten out on the stats sheet in corners, with three on the day.
The first half was marked by back-and-forth play and strong defense for both teams. Hofstra fired off three early shots within the first 15 minutes of play. Aimee Hodgson was the only Hofstra player able to truly threaten a shot on goal, but it was poked out of danger by van Doesburg. The Pride had another opportunity late in the first half. Polly Watson aimed at the top left corner, but van Doesburg was able to play stopper.
In the second half, both teams picked up the pace and played with more aggression. Three members of the Camels warranted yellow cards, which resulted in Hofstra free kicks. Gabriella Marte took the first free kick and perfectly placed a high arcing ball into the 18-yard box for Manon Lebargy, who could not corral the ball and fired off a high shot.
Hailey Moschitta had a golden opportunity on an open net 15 minutes into the second half, but just missed, and the header attempt flew over the crossbar.
The Pride tried to capitalize on another Camels yellow card in the 85th minute. Olivia Pearse aimed for the bottom left, but van Doesburg continued to put down every offensive threat the Pride posed.
The final Campbell yellow card came with just seconds left on the clock. Ava Kanaar clashed with Bailey on the line of the 18-yard box. Bailey was shaken up but got back into action after consulting with the athletic training staff.
The aggression toward the end of the game resulted in some pushing and shoving that carried on beyond the last whistle and caused Marte to get a yellow card.
The Pride look to snap the six-game draw streak on the road against CAA opponent in Towson University on Sunday, Sept. 28. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
