Hempstead, N.Y. – Senior forward Sam Scolarici's fifth-minute goal provided an early boost and Hofstra did not allow a shot on goal as the Pride shut out Towson, 1-0, in a Colonial Athletic Association matchup on Sunday afternoon at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
Hofstra split a two-game CAA home stretch and improved to 7-6 and 2-2 in CAA play. The Pride established a 19-5 shot advantage as Towson dropped to 3-7-2 and 0-3 in league play.
Scolarici netted her league-leading 13th goal just 4:42 in. Junior Leah Galton sent in a left-footed cross from the left flank that served as a perfect centering pass. Scolarici volleyed in the feed past goalkeeper Erin Quinn for what proved to be the game-winner. The pass, which did not even touch the ground before Scolarici scored, marked Galton's second assist of the season.
The Hofstra defense did not allow a single shot to go through on net, allowing sophomore goalkeeper Friederike Mehring to pick up her first individual shutout this season. Mehring and freshman backup Jenna Borresencombined on a clean sheet in a 5-0 win versus Saint Joseph's on Aug 31.
Scolarici's third game-winning goal moved her past Jill Mulholland for the team lead. Galton added a game-high five shots, which matched Towson's entire team output. Senior forward Amber Stobbs joined Scolarici with each recording four shots.
A backline featuring senior Caylin Dudley, junior Mallory Ullrich, sophomore Emily Agudelo and freshman Rhian Cleverly limited Towson to three first-half shots and two in the second half.
Hofstra improved to 17-2-1 against the Tigers in the all-time series, including wins in 12 of the last 13 games. Scolarici has three goals in the last two games against the Tigers, including two straight game-winners after she netted an 88th-minute goal in last season's victory.
The Pride did not allow a single shot on goal for the first time in almost four years. The last time Hofstra did not allow an on-target shot was versus George Mason on Oct. 10, 2010 in a 5-0 win. Emily Morphitis and Krista Thorn combined on the shutout in that game.
Hofstra will resume CAA play on Saturday with a 4:30 p.m. home game versus Northeastern.
