HEMPSTEAD – The Hofstra Pride women’s soccer team was rewarded for their relentless attitude Wednesday night as sophomore defender Madeline Anderson directed a Noriana Radwan corner kick with her head into the back of the net to defeat the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 2-1 in overtime. That was a way to use your head.
Hofstra improved to 5-0-1 all-time against the Knights after Anderson netted her first of the season and fifth of her collegiate career in the 96th minute. With the win, the Pride moves to 5-2-1 on the season as they approach their final non-conference game of the season Sunday afternoon against the Fordham Rams.
“It’s a good starting point after [Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Army],” head coach Simon Riddiough said after the game. “We didn’t play great tonight but we showed signs of what we are capable of.”
After Saturday’s loss to Army, Riddiough was disappointed in his team for not giving a full effort and being mentally prepared. But, that sentiment quickly changed after he witnessed a strong defensive battle in the first half.
“For 80 minutes I was confident – I knew we weren’t going to lose this game,” Riddiough said.
The Pride and Knights traded chances in the tightly played opening 45 minutes. Hofstra controlled the majority of the opening period by generating 13 shots, forcing Fairleigh Dickinson’s goalkeeper Amanda Fitzgerald to make seven saves.
Hofstra had two chances in particular in the first half that nearly allowed them to strike first but the post denied senior Emily Agudelo’s shot and Fairleigh Dickinson’s Fitzgerald used her fingertips to deflect a Jill Mulholland chip shot over the crossbar.
The game remained scoreless until Hofstra’s leading scorer took on two defenders alone. Deep into the 18-yard box, Mulholland protected the ball by sashaying past four legs to send a strike to the middle of the field where a waiting Kristin Desmond buried the first goal of the contest.
Desmond notched her third tally of the season and seventh point. She finished with four total shots with three of them on net. The chemistry between Desmond and Mulholland was evident as the play occurred in a New York minute.
Mulholland has registered a point in six consecutive games compiling five goals, four assists and 14 points in that span. With the assist, Mulholland tied last year’s total through just eight games.
“They’re both grinders,” Riddiough said about the Pride’s two leading scorers. “They set the tone. If they continue to work as hard as they have, Hofstra is at a good stand.”
The good vibes were quickly shut down as just over one minute later, the Knights tied the game when Connie Lewis chipped one past Friederike Mehring. Mehring finished with three saves on the evening after entering the match in the second half – a move that the head coach has made in all but one game this year.
“Most teams collapse after they give up the tying goal,” said Riddiough. “We didn’t. That’s a sign of a good team.”
After Fairleigh Dickinson tied the game and grabbed momentum in the second half, the Pride regrouped and managed to end regulation time knotted at one.
Facing the threat of a two-game losing skid, the Pride entered overtime with a chip on their shoulder. Knowing that the Knights lost their previous four games, Hofstra came out in the extra session with speed and energy. They refused to bow down.
In overtime, the Pride had two corner kicks – they finished with six total. After Madeline Anderson missed her first chance by the net mouth early on in the extra period, she tipped Radwan’s second corner kick attempt with her head to end the game.
“It’s a valuable lesson for us,” said Riddiough. “We rebounded. It’s a testament to the attitude of this team.”
