The Hofstra University women’s soccer team struggled in a road match, falling 1-0 against the College of Charleston on Sunday, Oct. 19. Hofstra’s offense has gone cold and they have not found the back of the net in two straight games. The loss brings Hofstra’s Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) record to 2-3-3, while the Cougars advance to 4-3-1 in conference play.
Each game is of the utmost importance for the Pride, who are currently tied for third-place in the CAA North standings. Towson University also suffered a loss to keep the third-place spot up for grabs. The looming threat of Stony Brook University is on the horizon for the Pride. If Hofstra wins the matchup against the Seawolves, they lock down the third-place spot in the division. Towson would need to win and have Hofstra lose or draw to gain possession of the final CAA Tournament spot.
The single goal of the game was found 18 minutes into the second half. After a sequence of passes around the 18-yard box, Caroline Fowlkes took a touch, forcing Hofstra’s goaltender, Lilly Bailey, to make a dive, and delivered a pass to Emma Wennar, who crashed at the right-side post and lightly tapped the ball into the net. Wennar’s goal was her fifth of the season, making her the fourth member of the Cougars to score five goals on the year.
Hofstra’s offense was lackluster, putting just a single shot on goal throughout the 90 minutes of play. The Pride had several opportunities, including eight corners, but were held at a standstill due to the Cougars’ tight defense.
The Cougars had a slow start, but the CAA shots leaders showed up as the game progressed, firing 13 shots and five on goal.
Bailey conceded the lone goal of the game and made four saves to anchor the Pride’s defense. Bailey was pulled in the second half of the game after a collision, forcing the Pride to turn to graduate student Carly Travers to lock down the net for the final 14 minutes of action.
Charleston’s goalkeeper, Ainsley Chunn, made just one save and played a smart game in net, not allowing Hofstra to convert on any corner opportunities, jumping above traffic and clearing the ball on all eight attempts, including an inward kick from Millie Davies that deflected off Chunn’s gloves.
Davies had the lone Hofstra shot on goal. Davies started for the Pride and played 77 minutes, the most minutes she’s accumulated since her return from injury.
The game got out to a slow start but picked up in the final minutes of the first half, when the Cougars tried to convert on a free kick opportunity. The ball found the back of the net, but the officials ruled the play offside.
The Cougars found the back of the net on Wennar’s game-winner in the 63rd minute, which allowed the Cougars to coast to victory.
With the loss, the Pride are forced to play for their life in the CAA Tournament against a second-seeded Stony Brook team on Sunday, Oct. 26. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. from the Kenneth P. LaValle Athletic Stadium.
