The Hofstra field hockey team’s late-game comeback fell short as they dropped their March 12 matchup with Fairfield University 3-2 at Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium. Mercy Jasterzenski and Gabriela Espinoza each scored a goal while Jasmijn Verdoes picked up a pair of assists for the Pride (2-4).
“[In] the first half, we were a bit hesitant and trying to feel the play out,” said Hofstra head coach Courtney Veinotte. “We were a little bit off the back foot, slower [in the] first half. The second half we changed up our press, started to put some pressure on their central back-field player and ended up starting to attack transition having really great scoring opportunities.”
The Stags (2-0) opened the scoring less than five minutes into the contest. A blocked clearing attempt sprang a two-on-one for Madison Hoskins and Faith Spaziano. Hoskins passed it off to Spaziano and she went forehand to backhand around Merlijn van der Vegt before putting the ball in the cage.
Fairfield doubled the lead 4:20 later with a play that started with the defense. The ball was sent up the left wing to Carmel Van Dijk and she stickhandled up near the end line. Van Dijk sent a pass in front to Julianna Kratz and she tipped the ball on goal but was stopped by a diving van der Vegt. Kratz popped the rebound over the Hofstra netminder to make it 2-0.
The Pride turned up the pressure in the second and third quarters but was unable to beat Zoe Rosen. During that time, Fairfield took advantage of Hofstra’s aggression. A few long passes got the ball past the Pride’s forecheck and Emma Matlach gave Kratz a backdoor pass for her second tally of the game.
The Pride was able to break through early in the fourth quarter. Just under two minutes into the frame, Jasterzenski took a penalty corner for the Pride. Djuna Slort’s first shot was blocked but she was able to poke the ball through to Verdoes who sent it back door for a Jasterzenski tap-in. “I’m happy we did score on a penalty corner,” Veinotte said. “It’s been kind of like trying to rip off the band-aid here in the season, it hasn’t been that successful. Good to see that being executed whether it’s a rebound or a direct shot. Taking advantage of that numbers-up situation is good.”
Just 20 seconds later, the Pride struck again. Verdoes forced a turnover in the Fairfield end and charged to the net. Her shot was stopped by Rosen but Espinoza was there to flip the rebound past the Stags’ keeper for her first career collegiate goal.
The Pride was unable to tie the game despite numerous chances throughout the rest of the quarter. After being outshot 4-1 in the first quarter, Hofstra outshot Fairfield 9-5 the rest of the way. The Pride took four penalty corners, converting on one, to the Stags’ one. A green card issued to Espinoza in the first quarter was the only foul of the game
Verdoes’ two assists put her at seven points on the year, tied for the Colonial Athletic Association lead. The freshman has factored in on every Pride goal this season. “High, high character kid,” Veinotte said. “Great vibe with her team and, ultimately, she has a speed to her that is very hard to defend.”
Van der Vegt made three saves but took the loss.
With her two goals, Kratz took four shots with three going on goal off the bench. Rosen picked up her second win of the season and made two saves.
The Pride will be back in action on Sunday, March 14 when they host UAlbany at 2 p.m. It will be the final non-conference game on Hofstra’s schedule. “Young teams grow every day,” Veinotte said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can bring Sunday, and every game right now we’re looking a little bit better.”
Photo courtesy of Jacob Lewis/The Hofstra Chronicle
