Hempstead, NY –
Samantha Spera's fourth goal of the 2023 season came at the perfect time for the Hofstra field hockey team as the Pride defeated LIU, 2-1, in double overtime on an overcast Friday afternoon from Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium. Hofstra improves to 4-4 overall, and LIU slips to 1-6 following the loss.
After a scoreless first overtime period and following a green card against
Maya Williams,
Tara McNally inbounded the ball with a lengthy pass down the sideline to
Jaime Lewis, drawing three LIU defenders before backhanding a pass directly to an unmarked Spera behind the penalty stroke mark. She unleashed a hard shot just past the outstretched leg of LIU goalie Fleur Hofman and into the net for the winner, sending the Hofstra bench spilling onto the turf in celebration.
After three scoreless quarters that saw Hofstra outshoot the Sharks, 7-5, LIU's Emilce Paez just snuck her shot past
Hella Vorpagel after a solo effort to generate her scoring opportunity, putting the visitors ahead with 10:18 remaining in the contest. Hofstra pressed the attack looking for the equalizer, with Spera and
Silvia Vetter both having their shots saved by Hofman down the stretch of the fourth quarter. With 42 seconds remaining on the clock, Hofstra earned a penalty corner, and
Teresa Karoff scored the equalizer after receiving a pass from McNally and lifting her shot over a sliding Hofman with 35 seconds left in regulation.
In addition to Lewis and McNally,
Jamie Mc Millan recorded an assist in Hofstra's double-overtime win. Vorpagel made five stops for the Pride in her fourth start of the season between the posts.
LIU's Hofman recorded four saves in the loss for LIU.
Hofstra resumes Coastal Athletic Association play on Friday (Sept. 29) with a 3 p.m. home contest against Drexel.
NOTES
-Hofstra improves to 4-0 in the all-time series against LIU.
-Hofstra outshot LIU, 12-9, and earned six penalty corners to LIU's two.
-Spera has matched her previous season-high of four goals scored during the 2022 season.
-Hofstra has scored five of its 17 goals this season from penalty corners.
