Hempstead, NY - A pair of second half goals from Eline Oldeman and another solid outing in goal from Merlijn van der Vegt propelled Hofstra to a 3-1 win at home over local rival Long Island University Wednesday afternoon from the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium.

The win puts Hofstra at 3-4 overall, snapping a two-game losing streak, while LIU slips to 1-4 following the loss.

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Pride struck first off the stick of Cami Valor. Djuna Slort connected with Valor on a long, pinpoint pass from inside the Hofstra half of the field, and the sophomore cut inside the LIU shooting arc before firing between the legs of opposing goalkeeper Rachel Vellis with a backhanded shot for the opener six minutes into the second quarter.

Valor would add to her day with an assist on Oldeman's first tally at 8:04 of the third quarter. Frankie O'Brien found Oldeman unmarked just outside the 23-meter line, and the young forward drew two defenders before passing to a wide-open Valor. As Vellis came out to break up the play, Valor laid the ball off with a gentle touch to a charging Oldeman, and all the reigning CAA Rookie of the Week had to do was slot the ball into the empty net for the second Hofstra goal of the day.

Oldeman's second strike came following an LIU turnover caused by the tough Hofstra press. Cami Larsson forced a turnover inside the LIU zone, and Oldeman pounced on the loose ball. After weaving through LIU defenders, Oldeman backhanded a shot past the outstretched leg of Vellis and in for her third goal in two games with 7:57 to go in the game

The Sharks got one on the board late in the fourth quarter off a penalty corner when Sammy Bell received the inbound pass from Samantha Olton and beat van der Vegt with a low, fast shot for her fourth goal of the year.

The Pride's busy week continues when they hit the road on Friday, September 17, for a road game against Sacred Heart at 7 p.m.

NOTES:
-Hofstra's all-time record over LIU improves to 3-0 since the Sharks moved to Division I in 2018.
-Cami Valor's third quarter assist was the first of her Hofstra career.
-Merlijn van der Vegt finished the day with five saves, the fourth consecutive game with five or more saves and fifth game with five or more saves this season.
-LIU held an 11-10 advantage over Hofstra in shots, but the Pride finished with seven shots on goal to LIU's six.
-Hofstra earned four penalty corners to LIU's 12.