Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra Field Hockey team will take to the road this weekend for two contests including one big Colonial Athletic Association match-up that has possible conference tournament implications.

Hofstra (9-6, 1-2) takes on the Dragons of Drexel University (6-9, 1-2) this Friday night, October 21 at 7 p.m. at Vidas Field in a key CAA contest that will give the winner a leg up for a conference tournament spot. The Pride will also face the Hawks of St. Joseph's University (11-5) on Sunday (Oct. 23) at noon in a non-conference battle at Ellen Ryan Field.

Drexel will provide live stats and video of Friday's contest while St. Joseph's will provide only live stats on Sunday. Links for both games can be found on this page as well as on GoHofstra.com.

Entering the second to last week of the CAA regular season, Hofstra is 9-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play following their 4-2 loss at home to Northeastern last Friday. The Pride currently stand in a tie with Drexel at 1-2 for the fourth and final spot in the CAA Field Hockey Championship tournament on November 4 and 6. Eighth-ranked Delaware is on top of the CAA with a 13-2, 3-0 mark with James Madison (11-3, 3-1) and William and Mary (6-8, 3-1) tied for second heading into their showdown on Friday in Harrisonburg, VA. The Huskies of Northeastern (7-8, 1-3) and Towson (2-13, 0-3) round out the current CAA standings.

The Pride's conference tournament hopes took a little bit of a hit last Friday with their loss to Northeastern. The Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half but Hofstra, on goals by seniors Stella Schoen and Claudia Marin Samper and two assists by classmate Colby Hussong, tied the game by halftime. But Northeastern scored twice in the second half to post the victory.

Marin Samper, who also added an assist in the contest for a three-point day, moved to within five goals of overtaking Genna Kovar's (2008-11) Hofstra career record and seven points of the career points record.
 
Hofstra, which averages 3.20 goals per game and allows 2.80 per outing, is led in scoring by Marin Samper with 15 goals and 10 assists for 40 points. Senior Stella Schoen is second on the team with 11 goals and six assists for 28 points as she climbs the career charts with 44 goals (6^th) and 26 assists (3^rd) for 114 points (6^th). Sophomore Madison Sauve is third with five goals and four assists while seniors Carissa Witmer and Emily Gallagher have each added four goals and three assists. Saltus has played in 13 games in the Pride goal and has recorded a 2.43 goals against average with 61 saves, a .701 save percentage and an 8-3 won-loss record.

The Dragons of Drexel come into Friday's Senior Night game on a four-game losing skid following losses to William and Mary (2-1) and American (4-3) last week. Drexel has wins over New Hampshire (3-2), Temple (3-1), California (2-1), UC Davis (3-1), Monmouth (5-2) and Northeastern (2-1 in OT) and losses to Richmond (4-1), Connecticut (7-2), St. Joseph's (2-1 in OT), Pacific (6-1), Penn (2-1), Northwestern (7-2), James Madison (5-2), William and Mary (2-1) and American (4-3). Drexel averages 2.13 goals per game and allows 3.13 per outing.

The Dragons are led in scoring by sophomore Megan Wiest with 10 goals and two assists for 22 points. Senior Idrienne Walker has tallied nine goals and three assists while classmate Jessica McCarthy has contributed five goals and a team-high eight assists. Sophomore Erin Gilchrist has played in all 15 games and has a 3.19 goals against average with 96 saves and a .681 save percentage.

Friday's game against Drexel is the 36th meeting between Hofstra and the Dragons. Drexel holds an 18-16-1 series advantage. Hofstra won the last encounter, 3-2 in overtime at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium last season. The Pride has won the last two meetings.

The Hawks of St. Joseph's, who will face UMass on Friday before the Hofstra game, are 11-5 on the season with wins over Temple (2-1), Bucknell (4-0), Villanova (4-0), Drexel (2-1), La Salle twice (2-0 & 6-2), Saint Louis (7-0), Richmond (4-3), VCU (3-2), Saint Francis (2-1) and Lock Haven (2-1). Their losses have come against Maryland (6-2), Penn (5-4 in OT), Monmouth (3-0), Albany (4-2) and Rutgers (1-0 in OT). St. Joseph's average 2.88 goals per game while allowing 1.88 per contest.

The Hawks are led in scoring by sophomore Anna Willocks with 21 goals and seven assists for 49 points. Senior Kerri Turk has added seven goals and one assist while freshman Pepa Serrano has contributed one goal and 10 assists. Freshman Victoria Kammerinke has played in 12 games in the Hawk's goal and has recorded a 1.71 goals against average with 57 saves, a .731 save percentage and an 8-4 won-loss record this season.

Sunday's contest against the Hawks is the eighth meeting between Hofstra and St. Joe's. Hofstra leads the series, 4-3.