Lewisburg, Pa. – Sophomore Bella Richards scored the game's lone goal as the Hofstra Women's Soccer team opened its season with a 1-0 win over Bucknell on Friday afternoon at Emmitt Field.
 
Richards, a Preseason All-CAA selection, put the Pride (1-0) on top in the 74th minute, taking a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that banked off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
 
Senior Monique Iannella kept the Bison (0-1) off the board in the first half, hustling back to clear a ball off the goal line at the last second after a deflection past a sliding Jenna Borresen.
 
Hofstra upped the pressure in the second half, taking eight shots to Bucknell's two in the final frame. Before netting the game-winner, Richards had come close earlier in the half, heading classmate Jordan Littleboy's corner kick off the crossbar. Senior Madeline Anderson's second-chance attempt bounced just off the top of the net.
 
Redshirt-senior goalkeepers Borresen and Ashley Wilson teamed up for the clean sheet, making two saves apiece.
 
The Pride opens its home schedule at 1 p.m. on Sunday against Fairfield at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
 
Notes:
-The win was just Hofstra's second in a season opener since 2012.
-The Pride is now unbeaten in 15 of its past 16 games, dating back to last season. 
-Hofstra posted 11 shutouts on the season in 2017.
-Richards was an All-CAA Second Team and All-Rookie Team selection last season, finishing with three goals and three assists.
-Freshman Krista Agostinello got the starting nod in her collegiate debut.
-Freshmen Emily Rose, Lily Stavisky, Megan Fisher and Alia Mentzell made their first career appearances, with Mentzell finishing with two shots, including one on goal.