The Hofstra field hockey team fell to the University of Delaware 7-2 this past Sunday in Newark, Delaware. Both teams came into this contest with seven consecutive wins and both were undefeated in CAA play.
From the start, it was clear the Blue Hens were looking to win and maintain their streak. Delaware put the pressure on Hofstra goalkeeper Lauren Saltus — taking six shots before the 10 minute mark. Saltus was able to save three, but allowed one goal to get past her to give Delaware a one goal lead, just 6 minutes into play.
Delaware stretched its lead to two just 8 minutes later, scoring from a penalty corner. Penalty corners proved to be pivotal scoring opportunities for the Blue Hens, who ended the game having taken 10 while the Pride only managed two. Three of Delaware’s seven goals were from or off penalty corners.
Delaware continued on to score a third goal about 18 minutes in, giving them a 3-0 lead in the first period alone.
The Blue Hens’ aggressive offense caused the game to mostly be played on Hofstra’s side of the field, but the Pride reacted with strong defense. When faced with three consecutive penalty corners around the 30 minute mark, Hofstra’s defense assisted Saltus in stopping all three shots.
Hofstra was also quick to tip away the ball from Delaware, but could not keep the ball for long.
The Pride struggled in maintaining possession. Delaware kept hold on the ball for most of the match, outshooting the Pride 23-6. Hofstra made attempts to take hold of the ball, but few stuck. Whenever Hofstra got the ball, the Blue Hens pushed them to the sidelines, forcing the ball out of bounds and back into Delaware’s possession.
Coming out of halftime, Delaware held onto their momentum from the first half, and scored just 3 minutes into the second half.
The Pride stepped up, however, looking to get some goals on the board in the second period. Around the 46th minute, they were successful. Freshman Lara Bittel sent the ball right into the goal, capitalizing on the Delaware goalkeeper being out of position.
Hofstra’s goal only caused the Blue Hens to play harder though, and they answered right back with another goal from a penalty corner — putting them ahead of the Pride 5-1 at the 51st minute.
A scramble around the Hofstra goal allowed for Delaware to get two more goals, nearly back-to-back, in the 54th minute to stretch their lead 7-1.
Hofstra, still playing hard despite the five-goal deficit, squeezed one more goal in. Senior Stella Schoen scored in the 64th minute to make the final score 7-2.
This was Schoen’s 10th goal of the season. Schoen also led the Pride in shots, taking three of the six shots of the match.
With this loss, Hofstra now sits at 1-1 in CAA play and 9-5 overall while Delaware advances to 3-0 CAA and 12-2 overall. The Pride hit the field again home against Northeastern University (0-3 CAA) Friday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m.
