For the first time in over a month, and for the first time at home in more than three years, the No. 12 Hofstra women’s soccer team lost a game by dropping their match against Northeastern University 1-0 on Thursday, Oct. 14 at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
In an upset of upsets, the loss snaps a nine-game winning streak for the Pride, whose overall record now drops to 12-2 and could potentially have a major effect on their place in the standings, both in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and nationally.
“This loss stings,” said Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough. “I think it’s going to affect all the good things that we’ve worked so hard to get. Now we’ll have to get back to the NCAA tournament the hard way. We’re going to have to win, and win out the rest of the way.”
Held scoreless while firing off 25 total shots in the game, the Pride lacked the ability to finish well, a rare case for a Hofstra team that entered games outscoring their opponents by a 30-goal margin so far this season.
“There were some chances where we would have normally scored, but a couple of our players rushed their shots,” Riddiough said. “We just got shutout for 90 minutes and that’s difficult to stomach given the quality of players that we have. We don’t usually have those situations, and unfortunately, we just lacked the composure necessary to put the ball away.”
Northeastern was able to take down Hofstra by doing something many teams have tried but failed to do: by beating them at their own game.
“Northeastern has a blue-collar mentality, and that has been a cornerstone of our style as well,” said Riddiough. “I thought that we got bullied, and we have to respond better to that. Teams that aren’t as good as us are going to find ways to equalize our talent so you have to tip your cap when that happens.”
The lone goal of the game was scored by Northeastern’s Rose Kaefer midway through the first half in the midst of a rare defensive breakdown by Hofstra. From that point on, the Pride responded with everything they had, but Northeastern was able to stand strong backed by the efforts of goalkeeper Angeline Friel, who recorded the shutout by stopping seven Hofstra shots on goal.
“Friel was in the right spots at the right time,” Riddiough said. “She played with confidence, and she made big saves when she was required to. Fair play to her.”
With their next game taking place at home on Sunday afternoon against The College of William & Mary, Hofstra has a chance to quickly correct course and prove that the loss to Northeastern was an anomaly.
“The game of soccer can be a cruel sport sometimes,” said Riddiough. “Now we’ve got to get back on the horse and prove just how good we really are.”
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
