FH: Gallagher's Hat Trick Leads Hofstra Over Rider

9/11/2011 8:36:00 PM

Hempstead, NY - Micaela Gallagher scored a career-high three goals to lead the Hofstra Pride to a 5-2 victory over the Rider Broncs at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium Sunday afternoon. The Pride, winners in four of their last six games, evened their record at 4-4. The Broncs, who dropped their first game of the season, are 4-1 in 2011.

Gallagher, a junior from Port Jefferson, New York, opened the scoring in the game and recorded the final two goals in the contest to top her previous best of two goals set in 2010 against Delaware. Senior Amy-Lee Levey added a goal and an assist while classmate Genna Kovar picked up two assists. Senior goalie Amanda Heyde posted seven saves to record her fourth win of the season and 25th of her career. Rider received a goal from sophomore Sandra Penas and freshman Stacey Dileo while senior goalie Rebecca Lotito made 11 saves in the Broncs net.

Gallagher opened the scoring at the 12:24 mark, taking a short pass from Kovar and blasting a shot for her second goal of the season. Junior Krizia Layne gave the Pride a 2-0 lead 16 minutes later picking up a rebound in front and beating a diving Lotito. Rider got on the board just 12 seconds before halftime as Ellie LaBar fed Penas, older sister of Hofstra newcomer Marta Penas, for a chip shot from outside to cut the deficit to 2-1 at the break. The shots were even at 12 at halftime.

Hofstra boosted the lead to 3-2 at the 50:15 mark as Levey tipped in a pass from senior Arielle Williams for her fourth goal of the season. But the Broncs came right back five minutes later as Dileo scored off a penalty corner with junior Marlaine Schneider and senior Virginia Egusquiza assisting on the play.

But Gallagher extended the lead to 4-2 with 3:19 to play on a tip-in off a Levey pass. Two minutes later, Gallagher received a pass from Kovar in the center of the circle and beat Lotito to complete the hat trick. Hofstra outshot Rider in the contest, 23-20, while the Broncs had 14 penalty corners to the Pride's 13.

Hofstra returns to action on Wednesday, September 14 when the Lions of Columbia University come to the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium. Game time is 4 p.m.

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