By Bob Bonett

Following a season where the Pride dominated the Colonial Athletic Association, the team will look to defend their title and receive an invitation to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year.

After scheduling some of Division I’s best in their preseason schedule, coach Lauren Netherby feels that the Pride are more prepared this year than ever to make a serious run through the conference and beyond.

“We played a tough preseason schedule and prepared ourselves well,” Netherby said. “The girls showed in the preseason that we can hang with the best.”

While the Pride may be the CAA’s favorite, other teams will undoubtedly put up a fight along the way. Two teams Netherby and the girls have their eyes on are Delaware and Georgia State.

“Delaware is virtually the same team as last year and are on a serious winning streak,” Netherby said. “Georgia State, meanwhile, is unlikely but interesting because they got a game off MTSU,” (the same team Hofstra lost to 3-1 at the UConn Toyota Classic).

Unfortunately for the Pride, coupled with a seat atop the preseason conference standings is the dubious distinction as the team everybody wants to beat, as the rest of the league will be gunning to dethrone the Pride.

“Since we were picked first, there is a target on our back,” Netherby said. “People want to beat us.”

Hofstra’s CAA home opener will take place on Oct. 5 against George Mason. They wrap up regular season conference play at George Mason on Nov. 10, and will participate in the CAA playoffs from No. 16-18.