The Hofstra University women’s soccer team kicked of Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play with a 2-1 victory over the College of Charleston Cougars.
The Pride move to 1-0 in the conference and 3-1-4 overall, while the Cougars drop to 0-1 in the conference and 7-2-1 in total.
“I thought Charleston were excellent and probably deserved to win.” said Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough. “They gave us everything we could handle and more. We’ve been on the receiving end of those kind of performances in the past, so I’m going to say that the soccer gods were trying to treat me this time.”
The Pride was powered by goals from Ellie Gough and Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir. Gough’s opener was the result of a mistake from Cougars goalkeeper Savannah Barron. Additionally, Hofstra keeper Mackenzie Sullivan made four first-half saves, keeping the Pride in the game early before handing the net to Synne Danielsen.
“I thought [both keepers] were excellent,” Riddiough said. “I thought Mackenzie made a really big save in the first half, a kick save.”
The Pride’s defense was stout in front of both goalkeepers on the night, holding a deadly Charleston offense to one goal. They had averaged three goals per game before playing the Pride.
“I thought our defense, even from the front three, worked their socks off, they battled, and they got on headers,” Riddiough said. “ [Charleston has] got loads of weapons, they’ve got long throws, they’ve got jets out wide, midfielders coming deep. You can see why they’ve scored 27 goals.”
Riddiough praised defender Louise Hayden who was a huge contributor in the team’s defensive effort.
“That’s what fifth-year captains are supposed to do,” Riddiough said. “I don’t want to take credit off her, but that’s her job. She’s a great player, she led from the front today and showed the rest of the team what this conference means; We’re here to win this conference.”
Despite Hofstra’s strong defensive effort, the Cougars found a late goal through Bubbles Dever, her fourth of the season. Even though this was the second straight game where the Pride gave up a late goal, Riddiough is unconcerned.
“Obviously, we don’t like giving up late goals,” Riddiough said. “Against Dartmouth [College], it was a fortunate goal from their perspective but not something which we thought was systemically an issue. Today, we could’ve given up four late goals.”
In total, Charleston outshot Hofstra 20-8 on the night. Six Cougars starters registered a shot, with four registering three or more. For the Pride, goal scorers Gough and Thorhallsdottir recorded their only shots on target of the match, Aimee Hodgson and Mathilde Braithwaite also had attempts.
Hofstra freshman Hailey Moschitta also made her collegiate debut. The winger played 13 minutes during the game.
The Pride will hit the road to play the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. Hofstra won the previous fixture 1-0 last season at home.
Photos courtesy of Julia Boesch
