By Joe Pantorno, Sports Editor
Coming off a heart-breaking overtime loss against James Madison, the Hofstra University women’s soccer team rebounded against VCU for a 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon at Hofstra soccer stadium.
“After Friday, emotionally to bounce back, and find a way to get that win is a huge testament to these players,” said head coach Simon Riddiough. “They showed a lot of desire under tough conditions. “
The Pride dominated the first half, putting VCU on its back heels. The 14 shots recorded by Hofstra in the opening 45 minutes were the most in one half for the season.
Freshman striker Caylin Dudley provided the only breakthrough in the twenty-seventh minute off a cross from senior forward Laura Greene. The cross bounced to Dudley who clinically finished her volley with a cracking shot into the back of the net.
“I told myself to just keep it on goal,” said Dudley. “And even if it deflects again, somebody else should be there to get it in. “
The second half was a different story as VCU began to settle and take the game over, presenting a very tough test for Hofstra sophomore goalkeeper Kylie Shuster.
“I think after her last game, she was suicidal, I was suicidal and the team was suicidal,” said Riddiough. “I think when we named that Kylie was going to start today I think they [the team] said ‘oh shoot. ‘”
“I was nervous [when given the start],” said Shuster. “I knew that there was no way I was going to let this get to me because I knew what I needed to do and I knew that this was a big game. If I just stopped over analyzing, that’s my weakness, and played it like a practice, I’d do fine.”
The Rams took eight shots in the half with a few coming agonizingly close to equalizing the score, but Shuster kept all attackers at bay with some solid, no-nonsense play as she began to take control of her backline and her area.
“I think I stepped up, I was struggling with confidence,” said Shuster. “I came out, pretended like it was a practice and worked really hard.”
With the squad hit with the injury bug, there was not much depth to Hofstra’s bench and when the clouds parted sun began to shine and the temperature began to rise, the Pride began to drag around the seventieth minute.
Riddiough tried to conserve the energy of key players, sitting Greene and unveiling an all-freshman front line that included the likes of Lulu Echeverry and Erin Hovarth.
“I think everyone was tired,” said Dudley. “I think everybody’s bodies are beaten up from the game against JMU but we all knew we needed this win so we pushed our bodies to the limit.”
VCU kept attacking and the defense, along with the help of Shuster, kept repelling until the final whistle to the delight of Riddiough.
“She [Shuster] was awesome,” said Riddiough. “I’ve got to give the kid credit. For her to bounce back and play the way she did, she commanded the box, she came out for crosses, and she talked to the team. You have to give her credit. I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
“This boosts my confidence a lot,” said Shuster. “I knew I had it in me and I knew I could play like this. It’s nice to have it noticed once in a while. I needed that.”
The Pride improves to 5-3 and will host Drexel on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.