Philadelphia, Pa. – Sophomore Leah Galton posted a goal and an assist to key Hofstra's 2-0 victory over Saint Joseph's in a non-conference matchup Saturday night in heavy rainy at Sweeney Field.
Junior Sam Scolarici scored her ninth goal when she converted a centering pass in the 42nd minute. Hofstra extended its winning streak to five in improve to 6-3. Saint Joseph's fell to 4-4-2.
Hofstra took 15 of the game's first 16 shots and held the Hawks to just one shot on goal. Senior goalkeeper Emily Morphitis made one save in the first half and freshman Friederike Mehring played the second half as the duo teamed for a second straight shutout. The pair combined on a clean sheet at St. Bonaventure in Hofstra's 1-0 win in the previous game.
Galton registered at least one point for the eighth time in nine games and her fourth effort of three points or more. The Colonial Athletic Association's Preseason Player of the Year set up Scolarici's goal and gave Hofstra a jolt coming out of the break with a breakaway goal 1:33 into the second half. Galton beat charging Saint Joseph's goalkeeper Lauren Jancuska (four saves) for her fifth goal.
Overall, the Pride crafted a 16-3 shot advantage and held the Hawks without a corner kick.
Scolarici had a great chance to open the scoring but her head-on shot from nearly 9 yards out was blocked for a corner in the 27th minute. That helped Hofstra establish a 10-1 shot advantage in the opening half with the Pride taking a 1-0 lead at halftime. Scolarici would not be denied again as Galton sent in a great cross that the Aldie, Va. native raced in and kicked near the left post. The low goal was the ninth in nine games for Scolarici, who entered the week tied with Towson's Emily Banes for the CAA lead.
Galton and Scolarici continue to be one of the most effective pairings in the game with the former assisting on six of Scolarici's goals.
The Pride shut out an opponent for the league-leading fourth time this season. Hofstra's previous clean sheets came against the Bonnies, Albany and Marist. Three of Hofstra's shutouts have come on the road. Head coach Simon Riddiough's team has not allowed a goal away from its home field in the last 340:52 dating to the first half at then-No. 4 Penn State on Aug. 25.
Hofstra will next be in action Friday night when the Pride opens CAA play at home against UNC Wilmington with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
