Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra women's soccer team claimed its first win of the 2024 season with a 2-1 home result over visiting Yale on a sunny Sunday afternoon from Hofstra Soccer Stadium. The Pride moves to 1-0-2 following the one-goal win, and Yale opens its season at 0-1.
After the opening 20 minutes that saw two Hofstra shots, the Pride broke the deadlock on a goal by
Mathilde Braithwaite.
Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir pounced on a loose ball outside the Yale box and drove down the wing before sending a cross across the mouth of the Yale goal. The ball found its way to the feet of Braithwaite, and she calmly finished through the legs of the Yale goalkeeper for the opening goal at the 21st minute. The Pride had numerous chances to extend its lead after Braithwaite's opener, including a string of four shots on or near target inside the final six minutes of the first half.
Hofstra's lead was extended to two goals off the foot of
Ellie Gough. In the 58th minute with the Pride looking for its second goal of the contest,
Millie Davies battled through a Yale duo and maintained possession before sending a through ball towards Gough inside the box, and the grad transfer laced her shot into the back of the net past the diving keeper. Yale responded 10 minutes later with a goal of their own to make it a one-score game, and they nearly evened the score in the 82nd minute with a shot just over the crossbar. The Pride saw off the remainder of the game to claim the win.
The Pride concludes its three-game homestand against Ivy League opponents on Thursday, August 29, with a 1 p.m. contest against Brown from Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
NOTES:
-Hofstra improves to 3-3 all-time versus Yale.
-The Pride held a 14-3 shot advantage over the Bulldogs. Hofstra outshot Yale 10-1 in the first half.
