Elon, N.C. – Hofstra received goals from its top-two scorers as part of a three-goal opening half to lift the Pride to a 4-1 win over Elon in the opener of Colonial Athletic Association play on Friday night at Rudd Field.Senior Sam Scolarici extended her league-leading goal total to 12 with a pair of scoring strikes and junior Leah Galton scored the go-ahead first-half goal to help Hofstra improve to 6-4 and 1-0 in league play. The Pride held Elon to six total shots with the Phoenix falling to 4-5 and 0-1. It was the first-ever CAA game in Elon history.
Senior Lulu Echeverry helped Hofstra score four unanswered goal with a 78th-minute insurance marker for her first goal of the season.
Elon took a 1-0 lead on Alissa Pantuosco's goal 9:22 in. Grace Bennett picked up the assist as Pantuosco netted her first goal of the season off a deflection.
But Hofstra responded with three straight goals to close out the half. Scolarici notched her eighth multi-goal game since 2013 and her fourth this season by scoring twice before the break.
Scolarici scored the equalizer in the 18th minute when she linked with fellow senior forward Amber Stobbs and scored from approximately 10 yards out in beating starting goalkeeper Kate Murphy to the left post. Scolarici entered Friday tied for fifth in NCAA Division I in goals and tied for sixth in points.
Galton, who was the CAA Preseason Player of the Year after winning that postseason honor in 2013, put Hofstra ahead for good in the 24th minute. Junior defender Mallory Ullrich connected with Galton on an outlet on the left flank. Galton finished with her seventh goal in the 24th minute.
Scolarici then gave Hofstra a two-goal lead, converting a breakaway chance in the 32nd minute. Scolarici now has 10 career multi-goal games. After setting Hofstra's career program records for goals and points earlier this season, she now has 97 career points and 26 points this season.
Hofstra scored three goals on just five shots in the opening half. The Pride limited Elon to just two shots on goal. The Pride made a first-half defensive save to keep the team down, 1-0, before the visitor's scoring spree.
Echeverry's goal was her first since Sept. 6, 2013 versus Marist. Echeverry now has 10 career goals.
The Pride will continue CAA play on Sunday with a 2 p.m. road game at William & Mary from Martin Family Stadium.
