Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra Pride Field Hockey team begins its 2017 Colonial Athletic Association season this weekend with a road game at the 19^th-ranked College of William and Mary on Friday, September 29 at Busch Field at 5 p.m. before making the quick turnaround for a home game against the Tigers of Towson University at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium on Sunday, October 1 at noon.

Sunday's contest has been designated Think Pink Day as Hofstra Field Hockey recognizes breast cancer awareness month. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a pink Hofstra cap and the Pride team will wear pink socks in recognition of the ongoing battle against breast cancer.
 
Fans can follow the live stats of both contests through HofstraStats.com with links on this page as well as on the Pride Field Hockey schedule page on GoHofstra.com. Pride Productions will provide a live audio stream of Sunday's game against Towson with links located on this page and the GoHofstra.com field hockey schedule page.

The Pride is 5-6 on the season after their 1-1 mark last week. Hofstra topped Rider, 3-2 in a Hurricane Jose-delayed contest on September 20 before dropping a 5-0 decision to 21^st-ranked Saint Joseph's last Friday. The two games wrapped up the Pride's six-game homestand with Hofstra splitting the contests, 3-3.

In the contest against the Broncs of Rider, Pride freshman Philine de Wolf scored twice and junior Madison Sauve added a goal and an assist to lead Hofstra to the 3-2 win over Rider. Senior Carys Swan made seven saves in the Pride net. For her performance in the game, de Wolf was named the CAA Rookie of the Week.

In last Friday's game against the nationally-ranked Saint Joseph's, the Hawks scored four of their five goals in the second half to post the victory. Swan made six saves and the Pride defense recorded two defensive saves on 15 Saint Joseph shots.

Hofstra continues to be led in scoring this season by Madison Sauve with seven goals and three assists for 17 points. Freshman Philine de Wolf has added six goals and two assists while classmate Frankie O'Brien has chipped in with three goals and two assists. Graduate-student Marloes Schavemaker leads the team with five assists. Swan has a 2.67 goals against average and a .725 save percentage with 74 saves in 11 games this season.

William and Mary is 6-4 on the season and tied for 19^th in this week's National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA)-Penn Monto Division I Poll. Friday's contest will be the 20^th meeting between the Pride and the Tribe with William and Mary holding a 12-7 series advantage. In the last meeting in 2016 in Hempstead, the Tribe posted a 4-3 victory over Hofstra. The Pride's last win over William and Mary came in 2015 in Williamsburg, 3-2.

The Tigers of Towson are 1-9 on the season as they begin their CAA schedule at home against Northeastern on Friday before coming to Long Island to meet the Pride. The all-time series with Towson stands at 26-11 in favor of the Pride as the two teams face-off for the 38^th time. Hofstra has won six consecutive matches including a 3-0 victory in Maryland last season.  Towson's last victory over the Pride came at home in 2011, 3-0.