Hempstead, N.Y. – Hofstra senior forward Sam Scolarici set the program's all-time points record with her first-half goal, but Yale goalkeeper Elise Wilcox made 12 saves as the Pride fell to the Bulldogs, 2-1, in front of 486 people at Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Friday evening.
Scolarici's 29th-minute goal tied the score, but Paula Hagopian scored in the 37th minute and Wilcox made five second half saves – including on Scolarici's penalty kick attempt with 1:30 remaining in regulation – to secure the win. Hofstra fell to 4-4 while Yale improved to 5-1.
Geneva Decker stole a back pass in Hofstra's third of the field and scored on a breakaway in the sixth minute for the game opening goal. Scolarici netted the equalizer at 28:12 when her top-of-the-box shot beat Wilcox to the left side. Scolarici picked up her Colonial Athletic Association-leading ninth goal and set a program record with 91 career points, which surpassed Suzanne Newell's record of 89 set from 1994-97. Scolarici already became the program's all-time goals leader earlier this season and now has 42 for her career.
Hagopian caught Hofstra out of position with the go-ahead goal at 36:48, tapping Sarah McCauley's cross into a vacant net on the left side. That proved to be the game-winning goal despite Hofstra holding a 23-10 shot advantage in the game and a 13-4 edge in on-target attempts.
Wilcox saved the game for Yale in the final two minutes. The Bulldogs were whistled for a handball in the box, giving Hofstra a penalty kick. Scolarici took the attempt for the Pride and was bidding for her fourth multi-goal game this season. But Wilcox stayed in position and guessed correctly as she smothered Scolarici's low kick. Scolarici had previously scored Hofstra's only other spot kick this season.
The Pride had previous chances to tie the score, making back-to-back saves less than two minutes apart on Scolarici and junior forward Leah Galton between the 75th and 77th minutes. Scolarici fired a game-high 10 total shots with six on net.
Sophomore Emily Agudelo and seniors Amber Stobbs and Lulu Echeverry all had two shots for the Pride while Galton, who drew the attention of multiple defenders on the left flank throughout the game, notched 10 shots (with three on-goal).
Sophomore goalkeeper Friederike Mehring made two saves for the Pride.
Hofstra will be in action on Sunday with a non-conference road game at Monmouth. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
