It took a little longer than 90 minutes, but the No. 10 Hofstra women’s soccer team defeated UNC-Wilmington (UNCW) 2-1 in double overtime on the road on Sunday, Oct. 10. Miri Taylor was the hero for Hofstra, scoring both of the Pride’s goals. Lucy Porter tallied assists on both Taylor goals, while Lucy Shepherd and Ellen Halseth each logged a helper in the win.

The win marked a milestone 200th career victory for Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough. Riddiough, now in year 16 with the Pride, has yet to finish a campaign with a losing record.

The Pride and Seahawks battled evenly throughout the first 45 minutes of the match. Both teams had four shots on goal, but neither could get one past the other. The keepers rose to the challenge in the first half, as Hofstra’s Skylar Kuzmich and UNCW ‘s Kaylie Bierman made four saves each in the half.

The Pride went up on the Seahawks just minutes into the second half when Shepherd found Taylor who scored the first goal of the game, giving Hofstra a 1-0 lead with just under 40 minutes left to play.

UNCW did not go down easily, however, as Seahawks forward Audrey Harding found the back of the net in the 75th minute to even the score at one goal apiece. Both teams went scoreless for the remaining 15 minutes of the second half, leaving the score tied at the end of 90 minutes. Kuzmich made one save in the second half while Bierman stopped four shots for the Seahawks.

For the Pride, a draw was not needed, as just two minutes into the second period of extra time, Taylor found the back of the net for the Pride for her second of the match. Her team-leading 14th goal of the season gave the Pride the win.

The win moved the Pride to 12-0 for the year and 4-0 in Colonial Athletic Association play, and the team has won their last nine matches.

This week, they will return back to Hofstra to take on two conference opponents. On Thursday, Oct. 14, the Huskies from Northeastern University will visit and on Sunday, Oct. 17, the College of William & Mary Tribe will take on the Pride as they look to improve to 6-0 in league play.

Photo courtesy of Adam Flash/The Hofstra Chronicle