By Chris Buckley (Staff Writer)

The Hofstra field hockey team dropped its fifth straight match, this time against the Delaware Blue Hens (5-10, 1-3 CAA) in Newark, Delaware this past Sunday, falling by a score of 2-1.

The loss keeps the Pride out of the win column in the Colonial Athletic Association play, moving its record to 5-8 overall and 0-4 in conference.

Sophomore Jonel Boileau sparked Hofstra just 14:51 into the match with her ninth goal of the season from 10 yards out. With the score, Boileau set a career-high in goals and total points with 20 on the year.

“Delaware is a really strong team, we knew going in we had to come out with a lot of attack early,” said associate head coach April Cornell. “Jonel created a lot of momentum for the team.”

Things would change quickly though, as Blue Hen sophomore Kelsey McKee would score her sixth goal of the year at 16:34 into the half, and her seventh off a penalty stroke at the 24:48 mark, giving Delaware a 2-1 lead.

The Pride had a chance to tie the game at 8:24 into the second half when Boileau barely missed a shot in front of the Delaware goal.

The score would remain the same as time expired, thanks in part to the strong goalkeeping of Delaware freshman Megane Simons.

“It is difficult because they are really pushing it in practice and I think every game they approach things the same way. We know we have a powerful team but some things just haven’t gone our way lately,” Cornell said.

Hofstra returns to action this Sunday against Boston University in a non-conference match-up.

“This is a really big match for us. Boston University is ranked 12th in the nation right now. Their goal keeping is strong, but it gives us another opportunity to come out and fight, we need to attack right from the start again,” Cornell said.

The match is set to be played at Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium at 1p.m.