Following a 3-1 victory over Long Island University (LIU) just two days prior, the Hofstra Pride field hockey team stayed hot and won its second consecutive game on Friday, Sept. 17, defeating Sacred Heart University on the road with a score of 2-0. With the win, Hofstra moved up to 4-4 in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) standings, while Sacred Heart dropped to 0-5 on the season.

The game was a defensive battle, as both teams combined for only three shots on goal in the first quarter. The scoring action did not commence until five minutes into the second quarter, when senior Djuna Slort scored from the top of the arc for her first goal of the season to give the Pride a 1-0 lead that it would not relinquish.

Following this goal, no shots on goal were recorded in the remainder of the second quarter and the third quarter. The action picked up in the fourth quarter, as both teams combined for six shots on goal. Senior Cami Larsson found the back of the net to extend the Pride’s lead to 2-0, scoring her first goal of the season with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

While Hofstra’s defense allowed nine penalty corners compared to Sacred Heart’s eight, the Pride only allowed four shots on goal for the entire game, allowing for goalie Merlijn van der Vegt to record four saves.

She picked up her first shutout of the season and the fifth of her collegiate career. Van der Vegt leads the conference in goals against average with 1.75 goals allowed per game. She is also second in the CAA in saves with 45.

Hofstra is currently tied with the James Madison University Dukes (3-3) for first place in the CAA standings. The Pride will look to continue its two-game winning streak against the 0-4-1 Quinnipiac University Bobcats on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m., in front of a home crowd at Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium.

Photo Courtesy of Jacob Lewis/Hofstra Athletics