WSOC: Hofstra Hits The Road For Yale Invitational

Hempstead, N.Y. – A two-game home streak will bolster the Hofstra Women's Soccer program as the Pride heads to the Yale Invitational to play the Bulldogs on Friday at 7:30 p.m. before playing CCSU on Sunday at 12 p.m.

Friday's game will feature live video and live statistics will also be available. Hofstra (2-2) Hofstra earned a spot on the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic regional poll for the second straight week, coming in eighth in the Sept. 1 rankings following victories over Columbia and Fairleigh Dickinson, respectively.

Senior forward Leah Galton scored three goals in the two-game homestand, notching two goals in the win over the Knights that included the game-winning strike to the net's right corner. The trip will continue a stretch that puts Hofstra away from home for five of the season's first seven games. It also pushed her career point total to 100, making her one of just two players in program history to reach the century mark. She trails only former teammate Sam Scolarici's 108 points for the program record.

Sophomore forward Kristin Desmond is averaging a point-per-game after posing a goal and two assists. She started her career as a defender but has shown a nose for the net when moved into an attacking position, completing Galton and her two game-winning goals.

At midfield, senior Jeannine Molleda is coming off a three-point game against FDU. Sophomore Katie Gerdes also boosted the offense when she scored her first career goal in the win over Columbia.

Another strong challenge awaits in Yale and Hofstra lost the only two games the teams have played all-time; including a 3-0 defeat at Yale in 2009 and a 2-1 loss at home last season.

This season, Yale is 0-1 following an Opening Day loss to Arkansas. It will be the second Ivy League opponent the Pride will face in 2015 following last week's home-opening win over Columbia.

The Bulldogs finished third in the Ivy last season. Yale gave up just three goals in seven conference games last year. Senior Ally Grossman, this year's captain, helped anchor that unit, playing every minute of every league game and earning CollegeSportsMadness second team all-league honors.

Sophomore Carlin Hudson earned honorable mention All-Ivy recognition as a rookie, also playing all 710 minutes of league games. Two other sophomores should see time on the back line as well. Hannah Coy (10 starts) and Meg Byfield (6) combined to start 16 games last fall.

CCSU has raced to a 2-0 start following wins over Stony Brook and Fairfield. The Pride will face Stony Brook on Sept. 11. In the all-time series, Hofstra is 5-6-1 all-time since 1995. The game will be the first meeting between the schools since 2008.

The Blue Devils were chosen selected to defend its Northeast Conference championship as the team was picked as the favorite in the 2015 NEC Preseason Coaches Poll. CCSU earned the top spot on the list after receiving six of the nine potential first place votes.

After capturing their eighth Northeast Conference title in program history last season, the Blue Devils topped the preseason for the first time since the beginning of the 2009 season. That year they went on to win the NEC regular season crown, but fell in overtime of the championship game.

In 2014, CCSU finished third in the regular season standings in 2014 with an overall record of 11-5-4 and 4-2-2 mark in NEC play. Their play at home was crucial to their success, finishing with a home record of 7-1-3, including an undefeated mark of 3-0-1 against NEC opponents.

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Players Mentioned

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

#10 Kristin Desmond: F/D; 5' 3"; Sophomore

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

#26 Katie Gerdes: F/M; 5' 3"; Sophomore

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

Players Mentioned

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

#10 Kristin Desmond
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: F/D

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

#26 Katie Gerdes
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: F/M

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