In an up-and-down performance, the Hofstra women’s soccer team defeated the Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Knights by a score of 2-1 on Thursday, Sept. 12. The Pride controlled the game for most of the contest, dictating pace and keeping possession, largely on the Knights’ half of the field. Hofstra peppered FDU goalkeeper Amanda Fitzgerald with 23 shots, compared to just three for their opponents.
Just ten minutes in, the Pride capitalized when junior midfielder Jordan Littleboy played a through ball directly onto the foot of Miri Taylor, who promptly crossed the ball in front of the net. The Colonial Athletic Association’s (CAA) leading goal scorer, Lucy Porter, was there to score her seventh goal of the season – a one-timer in the upper left corner of the net past Fitzgerald’s outstretched arms.
Porter has now recorded a point in five of Hofstra’s seven games and scored in four of them. On the play, Taylor recorded her third assist of the year, while Littleboy notched her first point of the season on a beautiful, crisp play.
“I’ll give credit to my assistant coaches for that (passing), Gerry and Kelsey, they’ve been emphasizing that for the last month, and it’s coming to fruition at times,” said head coach Simon Riddiough. “There’s times we look absolutely fantastic with the ball.”
Hofstra was not able to hold the lead, however, as the Knights answered back just 10 minutes later. On their only corner kick of the entire game, the Knights tied the score with 21 minutes left in the first half when sophomore midfielder Lea Egner found the back of the net. She connected on a cross with junior forward Viktorija Miseljic, who ricocheted the shot in.
The Pride once again controlled the tempo after FDU evened things up, but missed several chances to create a cushion for themselves. Sabrina Bryan in particular was all over the field, creating dangerous scoring chances with her shot and ability to help her teammates.
“We had a really good performance, but I’m disappointed in the final result,” Riddiough said. “I thought we should have made it a lot more comfortable of a win than we did.”
Bryan had two excellent shots that missed and delivered a cross to Porter that missed by no more than a few feet. With just under four minutes remaining in the first half, freshman forward Brianna Passaro was robbed of her first goal of the season on the fast break. Fitzgerald made a leaping, one-armed save, punching the ball just over the net.
The Pride was finally able to take back the lead for good when Porter scored her eighth goal of the season. In just seven games, her eight goals are leading the CAA.
“She’s just got a nose for goal,” Riddiough said. “Whenever she’s in the 18-yard box, her timing and spatial awareness are absolutely phenomenal, and then she’s got the composure to put a quality contact on the ball when necessary. She’s going to get four or five chances a game, and one or two or three goals a game. If she can keep in that vein of form, it bodes well for us moving into the conference.”
The Pride was able to maintain control of the game, outshooting the FDU 10-2 in the second half, preventing the Knights from getting a noteworthy opportunity on goal.
With the win, Hofstra moves to 4-3 on the season.
Image courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
