Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra field hockey team closed out its three-game homestand in style, shutting out perennial CAA power and defending conference champions William & Mary to the tune of a 2-0 win from the Cindy Lewis Stadium turf on a beautiful Friday afternoon from Long Island.
Hofstra's record improves to 3-11 overall and 1-3 in the CAA, as the Pride snaps an eight-game losing streak with Friday's victory. Meanwhile, the Tribe drops to 1-13 overall and 1-3 in league play following the defeat.
The Pride jumped on William & Mary early with a goal inside the first 10 minutes of the opening frame. On Hofstra's first corner opportunity of the game,
Tara McNally recovered from a blocked shot to send a pass through the crowded goal mouth, and
Kelly Levengood was waiting on the receiving end at the far post to nudge the ball into the net for the first goal of the afternoon at 7:52.
After withstanding seven William & Mary shots and five penalty corner opportunities without allowing a goal in the second quarter, the Pride doubled its lead nearly seven minutes into the third quarter.
Caitlin Lozano intercepted a clearance attempt inside the Tribe half of the field and she sent a lengthy pass into the shooting arc to
Pilar Penaloza. After attempts by Penaloza and
Teresa Karoff were denied by the William & Mary goalie, Karoff collected a rebound and laid off a pass to Penaloza, who turned and scored on the empty net after the Tribe keeper was out of position at the 8:06 mark of the frame.
Pieke Roos made six saves in her first shutout win of the season. Levengood and Penaloza finished with two points as the goalscorers for the Pride, while Karoff and McNally each tallied assists for the hosts.
Hofstra travels out of state for its next contest; a 1 p.m. game against Fairfield on Sunday, October 20.
NOTES:
-Hofstra improves to 9-17 all-time against William & Mary. This marks the first time since 2010-11 that Hofstra has won back-to-back regular season games against William & Mary.
-The Pride outshot William & Mary 14-11.
Jamie Mc Millan led all players with three shots.
-Today's win was the third shutout win of Roos' career.
