Hofstra field hockey traveled to Buckley Field in Philadelphia on Friday night to take on the Drexel University Dragons with something big at stake: a playoff spot. Hoping to take advantage of their opportunity, Hofstra instead fell 5-1 to Drexel in a game dominated by the Dragons.

The Dragons scored four of their five goals in the first half. Megan Wiest scored the first two, while Avery Powell and Chandler McFeeley followed with goals of their own to make it 4-0. With two minutes remaining in the first half, Hofstra freshman Cami Larsson scored her team-leading seventh goal to get the Pride on the board.

The Pride looked to carry that positive finish into the second half, but those hopes were quickly diminished as Amy Ferguson scored off a Hofstra turnover in the sixth minute to put the Dragons up 5-1.

The Pride were outshot 15-8. The loss dropped the team to 5-12 overall and 2-3 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play. Drexel improved to 9-8 overall and 2-3 in conference play.

Hofstra goalie Betty Bosma recorded 58 minutes in net and made three saves before being replaced by sophomore Cecelia DeSimone. DeSimone did not allow a goal or make a save.

The loss to Drexel puts Hofstra in a must-win situation at Delaware on Sunday for the fourth and final spot in next week’s CAA Tournament.

The Pride stand at a three-way tie at 2-3 with Drexel and James Madison University for the spot after JMU’s 3-1 victory over Towson.

In order for Hofstra to secure the fourth spot, the Northeastern University Huskies must beat Drexel on Sunday and Hofstra must beat Delaware. Delaware is 5-0 in CAA play this season.

Hofstra will wrap up its regular season schedule on Sunday, Oct. 28 when the Pride travel to Fred P. Rullo Stadium to play No. 16 University of Delaware.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics