Hempstead, NY - Pride junior forward Claudia Marin Samper scored a career-high three goals and senior captain Charlotte Loehr added two assists to lead the Hofstra Field Hockey Team to a 4-2 victory over the Vermont Catamounts at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium Friday afternoon. It was the season opener for both teams.

Marin Samper, an All-Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Team selection, topped her previous best of two goals and five points that were achieved several times, by scoring twice in the first 14 minutes and once late in the contest for a six-point outing. Loehr equaled her career-best of two assists, also achieved twice, by assisting on Marin Samper's first two goals. Junior Stella Schoen also scored for the Pride. Red-shirt sophomore Lauren Saltus made two saves and allowed both goals to pick up her first career victory.

Freshman Lauren Tucker and senior Molly Higgins each scored goals for the Catamounts. Sophomore goalie Lena Benwood recorded 14 saves in the Vermont goal.

Hofstra's first two goals by Marin Samper came off of penalty corners with Loehr taking shots and the 2014 All-CAA first team pick deflecting them past Benwood for a 2-0 lead just 13:38 into the game.

Vermont closed the deficit to 2-1 also on a penalty corner as Tucker took the insert from junior Anne Marie Farmer. Hofstra had chances to open up a bigger lead in the first half but was stymied by Benwood's eight first half saves.

The Pride boosted the lead to 3-1 at the 16:15 mark of the second half on a great individual effort by Schoen, who went through several Vermont defenders. Marin Samper completed the "hat-trick" almost six minutes later on an unassisted run across the circle with 12:50 to play in the contest.

 Higgins closed out the scoring in the contest for Vermont two minutes later, knocking home a pass from Tess O'Brien on the goal line.

The Pride outshot Vermont, 28-4, including 15-2 in the second half and had 10 penalty corners to the Catamounts two.

The Pride return to action on Sunday, August 30 when they host the Raiders of Colgate University at 11 a.m. Vermont will face Sacred Heart on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium.