Harrisonburg, VA – The Hofstra Field Hockey team's playoff hopes took a major hit as Hannah Hall scored three goals to lead the 16th-ranked Dukes of James Madison to an 8-0 victory over the Pride at the JMU Field Hockey Complex Sunday afternoon.
Hofstra, which is tied with Drexel in fifth-place for the four-team CAA Championship tournament, falls to 7-10 overall and 1-3 in the CAA. The Dukes of James Madison, who are in second-place in the CAA standings heading into the final weekend of play next week, improve to 10-5 on the year and 3-1 in conference play.
The Pride found themselves down early on two James Madison goals in the first 6:30 of the contest. Lisa Lejeune opened the scoring just 1:09 into the game and Melanie Kusakavitch made it 2-0 just five minutes later. Hannah Hall would score the first of back-to-back goals to give the Dukes a 3-0 advantage with 11:38 to play before the Pride would get their first shot. JMU outshot the Pride, 13-2 in the first 35 minutes and led 3-0 at the break.
James Madison added five goals in the second half as Hall completed her hat-trick with two goals in the second half, Kusakavitch added her second goal of the contest and Alicia Cooperman and Emily Shutt tallied solo goals for the Dukes.
Hofstra returns to action on Friday, October 27 when the Pride play host to the defending national champions and 11th-ranked Blue Hens of Delaware at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium. Game time is 3 p.m.
Notes
- Hofstra is now 4-14 against the Dukes of James Madison. JMU has won the last seven meetings.
- The Pride is now 0-4 against nationally-ranked opponents this season.
- Freshmen
Frankie O'Brien,
Taylor Casamassa,
Anne van den Boomen and junior
Madison Sauve took the Pride shots as Hofstra was outshot, 21-4.
- Senior goalie
Carys Swan started and played 47:42, allowing five goals and making two saves. Freshman
Cecelia DeSimone played the final 22:18, allowing three goals and making one save.
- Hofstra will need to defeat Delaware and Drexel next weekend to overtake fourth-place Northeastern and secure a CAA Championship berth.