Hempstead, N.Y. - The Hofstra Women's Soccer team earned its first ever appearance in the national top 25, coming in at 23 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Hendrickcars.com poll, it was announced today.

Hofstra earned the top 25 ranking after adding to its school record winning streak with a pair of victories this weekend. The Pride defeated Towson 4-1 on Friday and then defeated George Mason, the second place team in the CAA, 5-0 on Sunday. Hofstra had been ranked first in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region for the last four weeks, but finally squeaked in to the national 25 after coming in 28th two weeks ago and 27th last week.  

The two wins over Towson and George Mason improved Hofstra's record to 12-1 on the year, including 12 straight wins since a season-opening road loss to current No. 11 Boston College. The old school record for longest winning streak was 10 games, set in 2005, while the old record for longest unbeaten streak was 11 games (10-0-1) in 2000. The Pride is also 6-0 in the CAA, giving it a lead of 1.5 games over second place Georgia State with five regular season games left.

Hofstra has not trailed since the first half of a 3-1 win over Rhode Island on Sept. 3, a span of 1,050 minutes without a deficit. The last five goals it has conceded in that span have all come while holding multi-goal leads in the second half, including four with the score 3-0 (Fordham, Purdue, Indiana, Towson). 

The Pride has achieved its ranking through scoring balance (11 different goal scorers) and dominating possession. Hofstra has outshot its opponents 197-71 during its 12-game winning streak (roughly 16-6), including 99-29 in shots on net. The Pride's two goalies, senior Krista Thorn (Smithtown, N.Y.) and Emily Morphitis (London, England), have combined for only 24 saves all year, less than two per game. This past weekend, neither had a single save as the only shot on net for either team was a penalty kick goal from Towson in the second half. 

Hofstra will put its new national ranking to the test with a difficult road game at perennial CAA power William & Mary on Friday night.