By Joe Pantorno, Assistant Sports Writer
There was a lot on the line for the Hofstra University women’s soccer team entering its October 22 match against Georgia State University. Not only were the Pride looking to extend its fourteen game winning streak, but with a UNC Wilmington loss, the Pride could secure the no. 1 seed in the Colonial Athletic Association and host the CAA post season tournament.
GSU came in with an 11-4-2 record overall (5-2-1 CAA) and was fighting for a playoff spot.
The Pride dominated possession with physical play but for the second straight match the opposition got the first goal of the match. In the thirtieth minute, Georgia State freshman forward Jewel Evans broke in alone, in what appeared to be an offside’s position, against Hofstra senior goalkeeper Krista Thorn. Evans’ shot hit off Thorn and bounced into the net for the 1-0 Panthers lead.
The no-call on the potential offside enraged Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough, who was issue a yellow card for arguing. “It looked offside from our angle, I’d like to see the tape,” said Riddiough. “Me and that linesman have had some issues in the past as well so it’s not just a one off. I took a personal agenda to it and I thought it was a little bit out of order and when the kids see me do that they lose it as well.”
The Pride was able to regain its wits and in the forty-second minute, sophomore defender Amy Turner’s free kick from 35 yards out deflected off a Georgia State defender and into the back of the net for the equalizer.
After outshooting GSU 13-2 in the first half, Hofstra came out flying after the break and was awarded a penalty kick in the fiftieth minute when a Panther defender handled the ball inside the box. Senior midfielder Tiffany Yovino, who scored six goals in five matches leading up to the game, placed her penalty shot neatly into the bottom left hand corner for her seventh goal in six games and gave the Pride the lead.
Pressure from the Pride did not subside after the Yovino goal, but Hofstra was not able extend its lead for insurance in regulation after junior midfield Courtney Breen missed a wide open net from point blank range and had a dangerous strike saved from long distance.
The missed chances came back to haunt Hofstra when Georgia State freshman defender Alyssa Feronti banged home a free kick from 18 yards out in the seventy-ninth minute. The score would remain 2-2 for the rest of regulation.
In the sixth minute of overtime, it was Breen that became the hero after she headed in a cross from graduate student forward Grace Hawkins to end the game and clinch the CAA regular season title for the Pride.
“It was just good timing,” said Breen of her game winner. “Simon [Riddiough] would’ve kicked my ass if I didn’t put it in. I had a lot of opportunities today and I knew I had to put that in.”
“Grace Hawkins did a fantastic turn on the defender there, put in a great ball across and Courtney Breen flew,” said Riddiough. “I was going to abuse her because she missed three sitters in the game and she found a way to make it happen so it was very exciting and a huge relief.”
The Hofstra women’s soccer team attempts to defend a free kick against Georgia State. (Sean M. Gates/ The Chronicle)
