Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra University women's soccer team (2-0-0) is set to embark on arguably one of its toughest weekends, as it will face back-to-back conference favorites in Brown University (0-0-0) and #7 ranked Penn State University (2-0-0). Hofstra will open up the weekend with a home contest versus Brown (1 p.m.) before traveling to Penn State on Sunday for a 3 p.m. kick-off.
 
So far, the Pride is off to a very fast start to its 2021 campaign. Hofstra opened up the season with a dominating 5-1 victory over Stony Brook before bouncing back three days later to shut out UAlbany, 2-0.  Lucy Shepherd is leading Hofstra with seven points, all of which ocurred during her breakout performance against Stony Brook where she recorded three goals and one assist. Against UAlbany, freshman Georgia Brown gave Hofstra all the offense it would need, as she netted her first two career goals to give Hofstra the win.
 
Against UAlbany, Hofstra got its first true defensive test of the season. Skylar Kuzmich made her first two saves of her 2021 campaign en route to her first shutout of the season and fifth of her career. The Hofstra defense also stepped up several times and cleared out several Great Dane threats, highlighted by Louise Hayden's save on the goal line late in the match to preserve the shutout.
 
High-octane Hofstra continues to lead the CAA in each offensive category, including points per game, goals per game, and assists per game.
 
Brown is entering the match having not played in a contest in 642 days, as the Ivy League opted to cancel the fall 2020 and modified spring 2021 seasons. Brown posted a 14-2-3 record in 2019, won the Ivy League Championship and reached the NCAA Second round, eventually falling to the No. 1 ranked Florida State Seminoles, 2-0. From that squad, Brown returns junior forward Brittany Raphino, who led the Bears with eight goals and 19 points two seasons ago. Second-leading goal scorer Ava Seelenfreund also returns to the team with 15 points on 5 goals and 5 assists.
 
Hofstra is 1-1 all-time against Brown. The teams last faced in 2019 in Providence where Hofstra fell by a slim 2-1 decision.
 
Friday's match between Hofstra and Brown will be streamed live on FloFC and live audio will be available courtesy of WRHU on the HAWC. In addition, live stats will be available on www.HofstraStats.com. Links to all can be found at the top of this release and on the Hofstra women's soccer schedule page on GoHofstra.com.
 
Penn State is coming off two-straight victories, having defeated UMass and LaSalle last week. Like Hofstra, the Nittany Lions have scored seven goals and allowed one thus far. The Big Ten favorites return three top players from last season including Sam Coffey, Ally Schlegel and Kerry Abello.

Hofstra and Penn State have faced each other seven times, with Penn State posting a 7-0-0 record over the Pride. 
 
Sunday's match at Penn State will be streamed live on BTN+. A subscription is required to watch. In addition, live stats will also be available. The links to follow can be found at the top of this release and on the Hofstra women's soccer schedule page on GoHofstra.com.