Freshman forward Laura Greene (Holbrook, NY/Sachem East - pictured) scored with 58 seconds left in regulation as the Hofstra Women's Soccer team took over sole possession of first place in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 2-1 win over Virginia Commonwealth on Friday evening at Sports Backers Stadium.

With the win, the Pride improves to 10-5-2 overall on the year, and 7-1-1 in the CAA, leaving it alone in first place with two games left to play. Hofstra entered the game tied with Old Dominion for first place, but the Monarchs dropped a 3-2 road decision at Towson. The regular season champion earns the right to host the semifinals and finals of the CAA Tournament, while the top two finishers receive opening round byes. Hofstra also clinched a CAA Tournament berth with the win and reached the 10-win plateau for the 10th time in the last 12 years.

Greene's goal in the final minute was her second goal of the season, both of which have been game-winners late in two conference contests. She also scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Delaware back on Sept. 26. Sophomore forward Salma Tairk (Bellmore, NY), who tied the score at 1-1 earlier in the half, gathered in a loose ball along the right sideline. She made a long pass across midfield to Greene, who sped through the defense to earn a one-on-one with goalkeeper Lauren Hardison, taking a shot from 15 yards out that found the lower-left corner.

Hofstra trailed 1-0 heading into halftime, but Tarik evened the score at the 61:43 mark in front in a flurry off a corner kick. Tarik had her first shot blocked, senior defender Marie Curtin (Kilmallock, Ireland) had the rebound saved by VCU goalkeeper Lauren Hardison, and sophomore midfielder Tiffany Yovino then (Holtsville, NY) slipped a short pass in front to Tarik, who finally finished to even the score with her team-high fifth goal of the season.

Laurel Pastor scored for VCU at the 13:18 mark off a pass from Samara Stephen-Dowd to give the Rams an early 1-0 lead. Hofstra had its best chance to tie in the opening half when sophomore midfielder Tiffany Yovino (Holtsville, NY) had a shot saved off the line by a VCU defender in the 18th minute. Goalkeeper Lauren Hardison also had five saves in the first half, two of which came against sophomore forward Salma Tarik (Bellmore, NY).

Hofstra finished with a 19-11 edge in shots and dominated the second half, outshooting the Rams 10-3 after intermission. Senior goalkeeper Krystal Robens (East Taunton, MA) had two saves for the Pride to get the win in net, while Hardison finished with nine saves for the Rams. Hofstra also held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks on the evening, including 5-0 in the second half.

Hofstra will next be in action when it travels to James Madison on Sunday for a 1 p.m. contest. James Madison entered Friday's play just one-half game behind Hofstra in the CAA standings, and kept pace with a 2-1 win over Northeastern to improve to 7-2 in league play. William & Mary is also a half-game behind Hofstra after defeating George Mason 1-0, while Old Dominion is now a game behind at 6-2-1 and UNC Wilmington is in fifth at 6-3.