The Hofstra University field hockey team earned their first win of the season against Sacred Heart University in a 2-1 shootout on Friday, Sept. 13. The Pride improved to 10-0 all-time against the Pioneers.
Pilar Peñaloza for Hofstra and Jenna Baxter for Sacred Heart were responsible for the goals during regulation. The teams then played two even overtime periods where neither team found the back of the net.
The Pride won the shootout 3-2 in the sixth round thanks to a goal from Tara McNally. Hofstra goaltender Pieke Roos stoned Celia Benson to seal the win for the Pride.
Peñaloza scored in the opening minute for her side, setting the tone for the rest of the match. For the first time this season, Hofstra dominated the plays and set the pace of the game. The Pride led in shots in the first quarter 2-0.
After the initial frame, Sacred Heart found some life and battled back. The Pioneer’s exploded for eight shots between the second and third quarters, with only two on net.
After relentless pressure, Jaden Ray eventually fed a ball across the Pride’s goal mouth that was kicked onto the stick of Baxter. Baxter wasted no time and tied the game at 1-1 for the Pioneers.
Most of the fourth quarter came without a solid opportunity for either team. With about a minute left in the game, Kesia Richardson almost scored off a corner, but was turned away by the Pioneers goalie, Samantha Maresca.
Sacred Heart elected to play conservatively in the dying seconds and kept the ball away from Hofstra’s attack, which resulted in overtime.
The first and second overtime periods featured strong back-and-forth possession for both the Pride and the Pioneers. Camryn Stewart registered three shots while McNally and Peñaloza both had one. When no team could find a winner in extra time, a shootout ensued.
The Pride and Pioneers both scored on their first attempts, but Jamie McMillan and McNally both failed to convert on the backhand. Sacred Heart took a 2-1 lead in the shootout in as many attempts.
The score remained 2-1 until Richardson scored to keep the shootout going in the final round.
After the typical five rounds, the Pride were selected to shoot first in the sixth round as the visiting team. McNally ran in and went to the forehand on Maresca which worked to give Hofstra the 3-2 lead.
Sacred Heart trusted Benson, a freshman, to keep them alive with a goal. Benson ran in but lost her angle as Roos performed a diving poke check to send the ball far away from the net and run out the remainder of Benson’s time.
Hofstra walked away from West Haven, Connecticut, with their first win of the season.
Next, the Pride played against Long Island University on Sunday, Sept. 15 at home at Cindy Lewis Stadium. Game time was 12 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Royce Dickson-Child
