Hempstead, N.Y. – Hofstra surged to a quick goal in the 11th minute and added two more scoring strikes as the Pride bested North Dakota State, 3-1, in the home opener on Friday evening at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
Junior Sam Scolarici and sophomore Jeannine Molleda scored the first two Hofstra goals and senior Ruby Staplehurst added the insurance marker to lift Hofstra (1-2) to its first victory of the season.
Senior Emily Morphitis made one save in playing the first half to earn the win and improve to 1-1. Freshman Friederike Mehring stopped one shot on goal in the second half to drop North Dakota State to 1-2.
Scolarici notched at least a goal for the second time in three games when she headed in sophomore Leah Galton's cross from the left side 10:51 into the contest to open the scoring. Scolarici's team-leading third goal gave Hofstra a lead it would not relinquish.
Hofstra, which went 7-1 at home last season, improved to 62-16-6 all-time at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
The Pride out-shot the Bison, 32-11, including a 20-5 edge in the first half. That marked the most shots in a game since Hofstra registered 35 shot versus Albany on Sept. 14, 2012. NDSU goalkeeper Sierra Bonham made 12 saves to keep the Bison in the game.
Molleda's first goal of the season – and the second of her career – at 37:03 gave the Pride the 2-0 edge heading into the locker room. The Clifton, Va. native picked up the unassisted goal. Staplehurst extended the lead to 3-0 in the 62nd minute. The defender took advantage of the new FieldTurf, scoring when a shot bounced over the head of Bonham.
NDSU's Lauren Miller scored her first goal of the season in the 78th minute to break Hofstra's shutout bid. Yet Hofstra would allow just six shots total and only two on target in the second half to earn the win.
Senior Amber Stobbs was a force in the offensive end, recording a game-high nine shots. Sophomore Jill Mulholland had five shots before leaving the game with an injury. Mulholland did not return.
Hofstra earned seven corner kicks and did not allow a single corner. The Pride will next be in action on Saturday when head coach Simon Riddiough's team hosts Boston College at 1 p.m. The game will be a rematch of last season's NCAA Tournament first round matchup in which the Eagles won, 2-0.
Before the game, Hofstra unveiled a banner to commemorate the team's 2012 Colonial Athletic Association championship.
