On Friday, Sept. 22, the Hofstra University field hockey team earned a dramatic victory at home in double-overtime against the Long Island University (LIU) Sharks by a score of 2-1. Beating the Sharks elevated the Pride to 4-4 on the season and 4-0 all-time against LIU.

“It’s really a battle of who can stay the most composed yet take advantage of attack opportunities,” said Hofstra head coach Courtney Veinotte. “That second overtime period, that’s what we talked about. Their goalkeeper did a great job of challenging our circle play, so we should connect and connect early in the circle, and that’s exactly what that second overtime goal was.”

Despite the gray skies,  a slow start on the attacking end didn’t make for a dreary day, for the field hockey team. Hofstra outshot LIU 7-5 but couldn’t get on the board throughout the first 45 minutes. During this time, freshman Hella Vorpagel held down in the net with three saves. The Hofstra offense dialed it up in the fourth quarter after a tenacious effort by the defense kept the contest tied at zero through three periods of play.

An unassisted goal by LIU’s Emilce Paez saw a quick response by the Pride, as the offense capitalized on a penalty corner with their first goal of the game by forward Teresa Karoff. Karoff inbounded the ball to Jamie Mc Millan, whose pass to Tara McNally found Karoff open to score, tying the game with under a minute left in regulation.

“They executed a beautiful penalty corner that we scouted in pregame; it just showed the kind of discipline and fight we have in our team right now,” Veinotte said.

Through 15 minutes of overtime, the Pride fought their way to an opportunity in the middle of the field – a backhanded assist from forward Jaime Lewis spun captain Samantha Spera into her fourth goal of the season. Hofstra outshot LIU 12-9 and gained six penalty corners to LIU’s two. Vorpagel ended with five saves.

“[The team is] very hard on themselves,” Veinotte said. “They want more for this program, and they want to win. It’s a fine balance beam to keep them hungry and motivated but also celebrate these really good opportunities. Our message after the game is to enjoy your family and friends tonight, but back on Monday, we show up, and we’re back to work.”

The Pride will be back at home Friday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m. to return to Coastal Athletic Association play against the Drexel University Dragons.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Matteo Bracco