Forks Township, PA – The Hofstra Pride Field Hockey team opened their 2017 season with a 3-0 loss to the Leopards of Lafayette College at Rappolt Field at the Metzgar Fields Athletic Complex Friday night.

Opening Head Field Hockey Coach Kathy De Angelis' 20th season with the Pride, Hofstra (0-1) battled Lafayette (1-0) to a scoreless draw through the first 32 minutes. But in the 33rd minute, Lafayette senior forward Rosie Shanks, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, broke the deadlock and scored what would turn out to be the winning goal. Hofstra was outshot in the first 35 minutes, 6-2 with freshman Philine de Wolf and junior Samantha Schlegel taking the Hofstra shots. Pride senior goalie Carys Swan made two saves in the first half.

The Leopards added two goals in the second half by senior defender Cody Hunsicker in the 42nd minute off a penalty corner and Shanks added her second in the 68th minute in a scramble in front of the cage. Lafayette outshot the Pride, 4-1 in the second half. Swan finished with three saves while Lafayette sophomore goalie Sarah Park made two saves to post the shutout.
 
Hofstra returns to action on Sunday, August 27 when the Pride host UMass Lowell (1-0) at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium. Game time is noon. The River Hawks opened their season on Friday with a 3-1 win over Colgate.
 
Game Notes 
- Dutch freshman Philine de Wolf took the first shot of the season for the Pride
- The Hofstra-Lafayette series record now stands at 8-4 in favor of the Leopards
- The Pride started four freshmen in Taylor Casamassa, Frankie O'Brien, Philine de Wolf and Anne van den Boomen