The Hofstra University field hockey team snapped their decade-long drought from the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) conference tournament when they beat Towson University 4-2 on Halloween: Friday, Oct. 31.
“I don’t think about the years we’ve missed as much as I’m happy for the team. They deserved to win, they deserved to be in the position they are in to play in the CAAs,” said Hofstra head coach Hillary Fitts.
The Pride allowed the first goal but answered back with four straight goals – the most the Pride have scored in a CAA game this year. Hofstra’s big guns found themselves on the scoresheet against Towson. Teresa Karoff netted her CAA-leading 13th goal of the season on a penalty stroke, which tied the game at one apiece. Jaime Lewis had her second multi-goal game, which brought her to eight total goals on the season.
Towson outshot the Pride 13-to-10 but the difference in the game came in the crease. Hofstra goaltender Luci Hollister made four saves on six shots on goal. Towson’s goaltender Tessa Scheenstra did not record a save.
Hofstra jumped on Towson in the first few minutes, controlling possession in the first quarter and gaining the first penalty corner of the game. After a Hofstra press, Towson went the length of the field and scored on their first shot of the game. Olivia Miller gave Towson an early lead, but Hofstra did not relent.
Just 24 seconds later the Pride drew a penalty stroke, and Karoff made it count. Later in the second quarter, freshman phenomenon Gwenn van Dijk took a long shot from 25 yards out. Lewis stood in front of goal and tipped it home to give Hofstra a 2-1 lead.
Senior Pilar Penaloza reopened the scoring in the third quarter to double Hofstra’s lead to 3-1. The goal was Penaloza’s first of the season to go along with three assists.
Hofstra poured on the offense when Lewis added another insurance tally later in the third quarter to bring Hofstra to four goals. The Pride had only eclipsed three goals two other times this season against University of New Haven and Wagner College.
“[The offense] stepped up well and moved the ball well and scored some open field goals which we don’t always do,” Fitts said.
The Pride’s offense came alive this October, marking all three games that the Pride have scored four or more goals. Hofstra has also more than doubled their goal total from last season to 37 from 17 in 2024.
Towson found one goal in the fourth quarter but ultimately fell short of the comeback. Hofstra and Towson both finished 2-3 in CAA play, but the Pride got the nod to the conference tournament because of their head to head win over the Tigers.
“Let the emotions come to them,” Fitts said. “It’s going to be so much different than they used to be. Let them be nervous, get all the emotions out this week and they’ll be prepared for Monmouth [University] next week.”
Hofstra finished their regular season 9-8 overall and 2-3 in conference play. They will take on top seeded Monmouth University on Friday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m.
