By Jake Nussbaum (Assistant Sports Editor)
After an exhilarating end to the regular season and playoffs that brought home a CAA title, the Hofstra women’s soccer team (11-9-2) stay at the NCAA tournament was short, losing in the first round at Boston College (11-7-3). The Pride gave its all on Friday night, but Boston College’s high powered offense led the Eagles to a 2-0 win.
“I think it’s good to see Boston College, which is a very good team. It gives our players a chance to look at what we need to do to get to the next level,” said head coach Simon Riddiough. “I think the girls now really have a sense of what it takes to win. We still have some work to do.”
Hofstra’s offense was never really able to get going as Boston College outshot the Pride 19-6, nine of them going on goal to Hofstra’s four.
“The first half we were a little nervous,” said Riddiough. “Then the second half we began to play with a bit more confidence, and that’s all I can ask. The event was probably a little too big for them right now.”
Boston College sophomore forward Stephanie McCaffrey scored the Eagles first goal early in the first, but it was senior midfielder Kristin Mewis’s goal in the second half that ended Hofstra’s hopes of advancing any further in the tournament.
“I was disappointed with the first goal,” said Hofstra junior goalkeeper Emily Morphitis. “I should have done better with it, but I moved on from that…. and I just tried to keep my mind in the game.”
Overall, Hofstra’s defense played well for such a young team, but it gave Boston College too many opportunities to score.
Morphitis played a good game after letting up the early goal, and allowed Hofstra a chance to come back and tie the game. Unfortunately, the Pride was never able to tie the game, and a late goal by Boston College ended the Pride’s season.
“I was happy with everybody’s performance,” said Riddiough. “The first half we were a little nervous, and we didn’t give ourselves enough credit.”
Riddiough was happy overall with his team’s season, and was looking forward to what this young team could do going forward.
“I think the girls, especially the freshman and sophomores, now have a sense of what it takes to win,” said Riddiough. “I think it shows that we still have some work to do. We need to get stronger in the weight room and quicker. With a young team its always good to see what we can achieve.”
