WSOC: Hofstra Hosts Towson In CAA Quarterfinals On Sunday

Hempstead, N.Y. – Hofstra will hope its recent hot play extends to the postseason as the third-seeded Pride will host sixth-seeded Towson on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the quarterfinal round of the Colonial Athletic Association Championship.

Free live audio will be available via the PRIDE ZONE as well as live statistics. Hofstra qualified for the CAA Tournament for the eighth consecutive season with an 11-6-1 overall record and a 6-2-1 mark in conference play. The Pride has won at least one tournament game in the last two appearances, including the 2012 conference championship. Hofstra will be hosting the CAA quarterfinal round for a second straight season after besting UNCW last season.

Towson (6-8-4, 3-4-2) started slow but finished strong with a 3-0-2 showing in the last five games to earn the sixth and final spot in the CAA Tournament. Towson has won two in a row with home victories over Elon and William & Mary to conclude the regular season.

Hofstra has enjoyed historical success in the all-time meeting, going 17-2-1 against the Tigers. Hofstra has won 12 of the last 13 matchups, including a 1-0 win on Oct. 5.

Sam Scolarici scored a fifth-minute goal, giving her three goals in her last two games against Towson. The Pride also did not allow a shot on goal against the Tigers. Towson will counter with Katie Ponce, who leads the team with six goals, including two in the last three games with scoring strikes against Drexel and Elon. The Tigers have shut out four of the last five opponents.

Scolarici and Leah Galton broke their own program record of goals scored by a tandem. Scolarici and Galton have combined for 28 goals, which bested their previous record of 25 goals set in 2013. Hofstra has had a pair of double-digit scorers three times in its history with the Scolarici-Galton duo accounting for two-thirds of that tally.

Scolarici and Galton are 1-2 in the CAA in goals and points entering the CAA Tournament, with the former posting 15 goals and 32 points and the latter notching 13 goals and 30 points. Both players have started all 18 games. Juniors Jeannine Molleda and Chloe Dale have made major contributions at midfield in pushing the pace, while senior Lulu Echeverry continued her strong well-rounded effort by scoring a goal and adding an assist combined in her last two matches.

Junior Mallory Ullrich and senior Caylin Dudley have brought a veteran presence to the back line and freshman Rhian Cleverly has stepped up when her role increased mid-season. Emily Agudelo has also been reliable in starting all 18 games and freshman Emily Hulbert has made an immediate contribution in her first collegiate season with two goals. The collective team effort has helped Hofstra post a plus-18 goal differential heading into the CAA Tournament.

Every team wants to score first, but Hofstra has been almost unbeatable when notching the opening goal with the Pride going 9-1 under such circumstances this season. The Pride is also 9-1 when out-shooting teams.

Earning home field advantage in the quarterfinals could be an advantage for Hofstra. Head Coach Simon Riddiough's team was 6-2 at Hofstra Soccer Stadium this season and is 19-4-2 at home since 2012.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Rhian Cleverly: D/M; 5' 5"; Freshman

#11 Emily Hulbert: D/M; 5' 5"; Freshman

#7 Emily Agudelo: M; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#21 Leah Galton: F; 5' 7"; Junior

#8 Chloe Dale: M; 5' 6"; Junior

#13 Jeannine Molleda: F/M; 5' 2"; Junior

#23 Caylin Dudley: D; 5' 3"; Senior

#14 Lulu Echeverry: F/M; 5' 5"; Senior

#19 Sam Scolarici: F/M; 5' 3"; Senior

#15 Mallory Ullrich: D; 5' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#3 Rhian Cleverly
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: D/M

#11 Emily Hulbert
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: D/M

#7 Emily Agudelo
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: M

#21 Leah Galton
: 5' 7"; Junior
: F

#8 Chloe Dale
: 5' 6"; Junior
: M

#13 Jeannine Molleda
: 5' 2"; Junior
: F/M

#23 Caylin Dudley
: 5' 3"; Senior
: D

#14 Lulu Echeverry
: 5' 5"; Senior
: F/M

#19 Sam Scolarici
: 5' 3"; Senior
: F/M

#15 Mallory Ullrich
: 5' 1"; Junior
: D