Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra field hockey team won the statistical battle against nationally-ranked Delaware, but it was the 19th-ranked Fightin' Blue Hens who came out on top in an exciting 1-0 contest to open Coastal Athletic Association play from Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium.
 
Hofstra falls to 3-4 overall and 0-1 against conference competition, and Delaware moves to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the CAA.
 
After a scoreless first quarter that featured just two combined shots from both teams, #19 Delaware pulled ahead at the 11:49 mark when Berber Bakermans followed up her initial saved shot against Pieke Roos for the go-ahead goal. Hofstra kept up the pressure on the Fightin' Blue Hens, forcing Delaware goalie Kylie Walbert into making two saves before halftime.
 
Hofstra upped its intensity from the opening whistle of the third quarter, producing seven total shots and four shots on frame but they were unable to get a shot past Walbert. The Pride continued to press the attack in the fourth quarter, but even when Walbert was forced off the field due to a yellow card at 7:13 and after Hofstra pulled Pieke Roos at the 2:56 mark for an extra field player, they still couldn't even the score. With 10 seconds left, Hofstra earned a prime opportunity to send the game to overtime with a penalty corner, but Tara McNally's would-be tying goal was waved off because it did not hit the backboard.
 
Roos tallied three saves in her second consecutive start, while McNally and Jaime Lewis led the Pride with three total shots. Jamie Mc Millan, Cami Valor, and Silvia Vetter each registered two total shots, and Samantha Spera had a shot against Delaware.
 
Walbert made eight saves for Delaware in the CAA-opening win, while Amanda Cimillo came off the bench and saw 5:04 between the pipes while Walbert was in the box on after a fourth quarter yellow card. In addition to her goal, Bakermans led the visitors with two shots, all on goal.
 
Hofstra's 2023 season continues next Friday, September 22, against local rival LIU with a 3 p.m. start.
NOTES
-Hofstra is now 7-31 all-time against Delaware. Delaware has won the last nine meetings against the Pride.
-Hofstra heavily outshot Delaware, 13-4, and held Delaware without a shot for the entire second half.
-The Pride earned eight penalty corners and allowed only two to Delaware.
-Both teams combined for nine total cards; three green cards and five yellow cards.