By Joe Pantorno, Sports Editor
Junior midfielder Micaela Gallagher recorded a hat trick as the Hofstra University field hockey team took down previously unbeaten Rider, 5-2, on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Hempstead.
“I thought we played fantastic especially in the second half,” said head coach Kathy De Angelis.
An early goal from junior forward Krizia Lane was waved off for hitting her leg before going in the net, but Hofstra proved to be the aggressor of the game’s first ten minutes.
Senior goalkeeper Amanda Heyde was called into action a few times early, but had no problem cleaning up the messes in front of her goal with some no-nonsense play.
Hofstra was awarded a penalty stroke with 10:31 gone in the half when Rider senior goalkeeper Rebecca Lotito smothered the ball with her body, but senior midfielder Arielle Williams was not able to capitalize when Lotito made up for her error by making an impressive diving save.
The Pride finally broke through just two minutes later after a weaving run and an impressive pass from Kovar found Gallagher who fired a low shot past Lotito.
“I just ripped it at the cage and at the goalie and it went it,” said Gallagher.
Chances came and went for both sides with Rider not being able to take advantage of three penalty corners in two minute and Lane missing a wide open net for Hofstra, pulling her shot just wide.
Rider began to monopolize possession in the last 15 minutes with Hofstra getting chances through the counter attack as its defense was able to defend the final ball to keep a lot of pressure of Heyde.
Gallagher was in the middle of Hofstra’s second goal of the game when her shot was saved nicely by Lotito, but the rebound fell right to Lane who got finally slotted her seventh goal of the season with 6:17 remaining in the first half.
Rider got its goal after a long spell of possession when sophomore forward Sandra Penas cracked a brilliant back handed chip shot into the top right corner of the net with 12.8 seconds remaining to cut Hofstra’s deficit in half going into halftime.
“It was just unfortunate in the last few minutes of play that we let down,” said De Angelis. “That’s something we still need to work “Arielle had a great game today,” said De Angelis. “That versatility is very important to corners.”
Tension was building as the time was ticking down with Hofstra holding the slender one goal lead as both teams were having a difficult time keeping possession of the ball.
Hofstra found a way to double its lead when Lane won a penalty corner and Levey scored her second of the match to the relief of De Angelis with 3:20 remaining.
Gallagher got her third goal when a shot from Kovar fell right to her where she finished into an empty net.
“It’s pretty nice,” said Gallagher. “It’s my first collegiate hat trick but I’m really happy about it and I’m sure my parents are happy about it