The Hofstra women’s soccer team spoiled Fordham’s home opener with a 3-1 victory in the South Bronx Thursday night, Aug. 30.
Improving from their last few games where they were largely only able to create an attack in the second half of games, the Pride attacked early and often, bringing opportunities to life with an unprecedented aggression that kept Fordham on their heels all game long.
Hofstra got on the board only two and a half minutes into the game on a shot by Lucy Shepherd that hit the bottom left corner of the net from 10 yards out.
The goal was assisted by Jenn Buoncore, who just 17 minutes later, extended the Pride lead to two with a beautiful stroke from a similar position as the first score.
Though Hofstra’s relentless attack kept Fordham from gaining any penetration for much of the first half, the Rams eventually began to get in a rhythm.
Fordham used Hofstra’s aggression against them, being able to create a disparity in in fouls that eventually landed Fordham with a solid set piece opportunity just a few yards outside the area 33 minutes into the game.
The free kick taken by Margaret Roughley made a curve around Hofstra’s wall and darted towards the back-right corner of the Hofstra goal.
Splitting the Pride lead in half, the Rams were able to enter halftime with some momentum, having reversed the tide from the early stages of the game.
In the last stretch of the first half alone, Fordham was able to get six shots off after only one in the beginning of the match, changing what once was a 5-1 Hofstra shot advantage to a 7-6 Ram advantage.
Unfortunately for the Rams on their home turf, the momentum that was carried into the halftime break did not carry over to the second, as some possible halftime adjustments brought the Pride right back to the dominance that they displayed in the first half.
Only three minutes into the frame, Buoncore connected yet again, after a corner kick was deflected near her foot, allowing her to do the dirty work and flick it in from five yards out. The assist was credited to Jordan Littleboy.
Hofstra’s attack maintained persistent throughout the rest of the game, allowing only few Fordham attacks to pose any kind of threat to second half Pride goalkeeper, Ashley Wilson.
Wilson did not even need to record a save to keep a clean sheet in the last 45, while Jenna Borresen allowed Fordham’s only goal in the first half.
The solid victory was Hofstra’s eighth straight against their New York rival, maintaining the win streak against the Rams that has dated back to 2005.
On the season, the Pride now move to 3-1. They will stay on the road to face No. 6 Virginia on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 2.
Image courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
