Lowell, MA – Behind 16 saves from freshman goalkeeper Betty Bosma, the Hofstra Pride opened the 2018 season with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Rams of VCU in the semifinals of the UMass Lowell River Hawk Classic Friday evening.

Bosma, a newcomer from Deventer, The Netherlands, recorded 10 of her 16 stops in the first half, three in the second half as the contest concluded regulation tied at 2-2, one in the first overtime and two in the second extra period. Hofstra outscored the Rams in the shootout, 3-2 with senior captain Madison Sauve scoring once and freshman Cami Larsson scoring twice, including the game-winner, in the seven-round shootout. (Shootout goals and saves are not credited to individuals)

Sophomore Hannah Zemaitis and Larsson scored goals for the Pride while senior Emily McNamara scored both goals for the Rams.
 
The Rams of VCU got on the board at the 12:05 mark on a defensive miscue. VCU junior Bentley Zabicki carried the ball to the end line and cut in toward the Pride goal. Bosma charged out of the goal and missed kicking the ball away from the Ram, who sent a centering pass to the crease to McNamara, who knocked the ball into the goal for the 1-0 lead.

While the Rams were firing 11 shots on goal at the Pride's first-year goalie, Bosma was keeping VCU at bay with those 10 first half saves to keep the score at 1-0 at the intermission.

Hofstra tied the contest just 5:59 into the second half following a penalty corner. On the corner, Pride freshman Djuna Slort fired the shot on goal which VCU goalie Sasha Elliott stopped in front. But the rebound came right on to the stick of Zemaitis, who buried her first goal of the season.

The Pride took a 2-1 lead in the 65^th minute off another penalty corner. Junior Alyssa Kohler inserted the ball for the Pride with senior Madison Reed stopping. Larsson then fired a shot into the goal for her first collegiate tally.

But the lead was short-lived as McNamara would score her second goal of the game at the 66:47 mark, off a penalty corner, with sophomore sisters Svea Sturm and Maite Sturm assisting to send the contest into overtime.

After two scoreless, 10-minute overtime periods, the two teams went to the first shootout round of five shots. Sauve and Larsson scored for the Pride while Bosma stopped three of the five Rams shots. Both goalies made saves in round six. VCU missed their shot in round seven but Larsson scored to give the Pride the victory.

Hofstra will now advance to the River Hawk Classic championship game on Sunday, August 26 where they will face the host River Hawks of UMass Lowell at 2 p.m. VCU will face Bryant in the consolation contest at 11:30 a.m.
 
Notes
- Hofstra is now 8-5 all-time against VCU and has won six of the last eight encounters.
- Pride Coach Kathy De Angelis, a Lexington, Massachusetts native, is in her 21^st year in charge of the Pride. fortunes and recorded her 196^th victory at Hofstra.
- Hofstra sophomore Hannah Zemaitis recorded her second career goal after scoring against Quinnipiac.
- The Pride won its season opener for the first time since 2015.