On a scorching hot day at Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium, the Hofstra University field hockey team fell at the hands of the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks on Sunday, Sept. 3, by a score of 3-1. The loss dropped the Pride to a 2-2 record this season, while Lehigh improved their record to 3-1.
“It was an incredible battle,” said Hofstra head coach Courtney Veinotte. “Quarters one through three were very well matched, evenly, and I was really impressed with our work ethic, … being able to compete at the level we did in the heat. Ultimately in the fourth quarter, one defensive breakdown let in that second goal by Lehigh.”
Things looked promising for Hofstra early in the game. The Pride got the first goal in the second period with a shot off a rebound from Samantha Spera, her second goal of the season. This ended up being Hofstra’s only score of the game.
Continuing in the second period, Lehigh responded quickly at the 19:41 mark, when Lotte Smorenburg recorded her second goal of the season with an off-corner shot that was tipped in.
Almost 30 minutes passed before the next goal as Lehigh tallied up two goals in quick succession in the fourth and final period. In the 47th minute, Lela Boermeester nailed her first goal of the season, successfully reaching the back of the net off an assist by Julia Gatelein. The Mountain Hawks topped it all off with one last point, this time off the stick of Maddie Kandra at the 55:10 mark.
Four players had shots on goal for Hofstra, with Spera leading the charge with three shots total. Goalkeeper Hella Vorpagel led all goalies with eight saves made.
As for Lehigh, the Mountain Hawks had a plus-seven advantage in shots on goal, with five different players attempting at least one goal. Kandra led the way with four shots on goal, while Guusje Hogendoorn had five shots altogether. Goalkeeper Jenny Canoni recorded three saves at the net.
Hofstra now looks ahead to Friday, Sept. 8, when the Pride travels to Albany, New York, to battle the University at Albany Great Danes. The matchup is set for 2 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Alexis Friedman
