By Andreya Shaak
Over the weekend, the Hofstra Field Hockey team ended the regular season on a two-game winning streak over Towson and Deleware. The finish put Hofstra in 5th place in the Colonial Athletic Conference with a 4-4 league record.
On Friday the 31st, Hofstra hosted Towson at 3PM, a match-up crucial to postseason play. Hofstra struck first at the 22 minute mark off a deflection by Nancy Wagenbrenner during a penalty corner from Blit Blankmeyer. Towson answered with two goals by Maria Schuette at 32 minutes and Danielle Wacker at 56 minutes, both assisted by Christina Boarman. Eight minutes later, the Pride tied the game with an unassisted score by Kristin Thompson, setting the stage for overtime play. At 72 minutes, Genna Kovar sealed the deal for Hofstra by drawing the Towson goalie Whitney Clugston out of the crease and slipping one past her to grab the win. The Hofstra Field Hockey team had a slight edge on penalty corners with 7, while Towson only drew 6. Also, the Pride emerged from the game with 12 shots on goal versus Towson’s 10.
Coming off a hard-earned win on Friday, Hofstra held their final regular season game against Deleware on Sunday, November 1st. The scoring began with a goal by Amy-Lee Levey at 11 minutes from Blankmeyer off a penalty corner. Hofstra added to the score with another penalty corner goal by Blankmeyer from Thompson. Blankmeyer tallied her second goal of the game at 36 minutes, extending the Pride’s lead to 3-0. A late rally from Deleware occurred at 40 minute mark when Tori Karsten redirected the ball in front for the final score of the game. Despite their loss, Deleware outshot the Pride by 15 shots to 14. Deleware actually held the advantage in penalty corners as well with 7 to Hofstra’s 3.
With the two-game winning streak, the Pride will enter the CAA playoffs in Virginia Beach, Virginia seeded fifth. Their first post-season game is set for 6PM on Thursday, November 6th against the fourth seeded William and Mary. Previously in the season, William and Mary defeated Hofstra 6 to 5 in overtime. The Pride looks to avenge this loss in playoffs and continue on to challenge top seeded James Madison.