By Jake Nussbaum (Assistant Sports Editor)
After winning seven out of their last eight games, the Hofstra Women’s soccer team dropped two games in a row last weekend against conference rivals Old Dominion University Monarch’s and The College of William and Mary Tribe.
Hofstra has now fallen to 10-7 overall with a 6-3 conference record. With these two losses, Hofstra falls to fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Both games seemed winnable at the start as Hofstra had an early lead against Old Dominion and a late lead against William and Mary, but the Pride was unable to pull out either win.
On Friday night Hofstra went up 1-0 early against Old Dominion, but was unable to weather a second half surge by the Monarchs. Hofstra freshman forward Leah Galton continued her terrific first season for the Pride as she provided Hofstra’s only goal in the game.
“The game was always going to be a battle, and we made it into a much more physical game than we needed too,” said Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough. “You have got to credit their team, they were organized, and they put some belief into what they were doing.”
Hofstra outshot Old Dominion by five, but Old Dominion senior goalkeeper Laura Bush had a terrific first half with seven saves. Hofstra’s aggressive first half was not enough though as Old Dominion recovered in the second half to score two games and win the game.
“We played them really well, especially in the first half,” said Riddiough. “I was really happy with our performance at halftime, but I told them we have to be careful not to give them a chance… Unfortunately after the kickoff we gave them a really soft goal, and they capitalized.”
As tough as Friday night’s game was, Sunday’s game was even tougher for the Pride as they lost a heartbreaker in double overtime to William and Mary. In a game between two equal teams, Hofstra and William and Mary matched goal for goal, but fell one short of the victory.
With just over four minutes left in double overtime William and Mary senior midfielder broke the tie to deliver the win for the Tribe.
“We were still in control of our own destiny; unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. We started off very well and played some fantastic soccer,” said Riddiough. “For spells they dominated and we hang in… Unfortunately, we finally started to tire in the second game of the weekend and they found a way to capitalize.”
Hofstra junior defender Brittany Farriella and freshman midfielder Jeannine Molleda led the Pride in scoring with one goal each. Hofstra’s offense was quiet for most of the game, managing to take only nine shots as opposed to William and Mary’s 20 shots.
“We executed very well; it was just not meant to be,” said Riddiough. “It is what it is.”