The Hofstra University women’s soccer team braved the elements on Sunday, Oct. 12, to beat Drexel University 3-0 at Captains Field. The Pride improved to 5-2-7 overall with a 2-1-3 conference record – which is good for nine points and third place in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) North Division. Drexel dropped to 1-3-2 in conference with a total record of 2-5-8. The Dragons now sit at last place in the North Division.
“I think [today] was probably the best performance we’ve done for 90 minutes in a long time,” said Simon Riddiough, Hofstra head coach.
In goal, Carly Travers started in place of Lilly Bailey and kept a clean sheet, making one save in the win.
“Everything she had to do she did well, in the second half she had to come out a couple times, and she came out with confidence,” Riddiough said. “We’ve always known [Travers] is a great player, she’s been a fantastic backup and today was her day to shine.”
Three goals scored tied the Pride’s highest mark of the season – which they reached on Aug. 17, in their 3-0 win over Quinnipiac University. Manon Lebargy ruled the field that afternoon in Connecticut and made her first two goals in a Hofstra uniform.
While the Pride had only three more shots than Drexel, they controlled most high-danger chances, with five shots on goal compared to only one from the Dragons.
Hofstra took control with two early goals. Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir started things off 13 minutes in. The Icelandic senior looked to be boxed in near the left corner kick area. Drexel defender Julia Hahn was holding her on the right side, with Jess Castorina coming to aid. Hahn doubled back slightly, which gave Thorhallsdottir a slight opening that she used to split the defense.
Thorhallsdottir had a few feet of space which she took, by the time she was met just outside the 18-yard box by Reese Power, Thorhallsdottir let it fly, sending the ball to the upper right corner, above the leaping Dragons goalkeeper Sammy Widnick and into the net.
Lebargy scored her second goal in as many games just seven minutes later. Aimee Hodgson ripped a shot from outside the 18, Lebargy was positioned perfectly and redirected the ball to the right side of the net and past Widnick.
The final goal came off the foot of Mathilde Braithwaite, who was the beneficiary of a poor pass from Lea Kemp. Kemp headed the ball behind her into the box and the speedy Braithwaite caught up to it. Kemp stayed on the graduate student, but Braithwaite outmuscled her and sent the ball into the net.
The team celebrated senior day on Sunday, honoring 14 seniors and graduate students in their final regular-season home game.
“They’ve done a lot of growing in the last four or five years,” Riddiough said. “They’ve grown, they’ve matured and developed as people and I’m super proud of them.”
Hofstra will hit the road for their remaining contests, first up is UNC-Wilmington on Thursday, Oct. 16. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
