Hempstead, NY – Hillary Fitts took the sideline for her first game as the head coach of the Hofstra field hockey program, as the Pride dropped its season opener 3-0 to nationally-ranked Old Dominion from the renamed Cindy Lewis Stadium, named after former Hofstra student-athlete, coach, and administrator Cindy Lewis.
 
The loss puts Hofstra at 0-1 to begin the 2024 season, while Old Dominion improves to 2-0 following a 3-0 win over Richmond on Friday.
 
After a scoreless opening quarter that saw returning NFHCA All-Region goalkeeper Pieke Roos make three saves to keep the Monarchs, ranked #18 in the country in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Preseason Poll, off the board. The Monarchs peppered Roos in the second quarter, sending four more shots on frame that were all denied by Roos before #18 Old Dominion finally beat the reigning First Team All-CAA netminder for the first goal of the afternoon on an unassisted finish by Frederique Zandbergen halfway through the frame. The Monarchs added to their lead four minutes later, this time off the stick of Sian Emslie, to lead by two at the break.
 
#18 Old Dominion tallied its third and final goal of the contest over two minutes into the start of the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Hofstra had its opportunities down the stretch to close the gap, but the Monarchs defense and netminder Elsa Goldsberry prevented any Hofstra chances from finding the back of the net.
 
Roos recorded 10 saves between the posts for the Pride versus the Monarchs.
 
Hofstra faces three consecutive contests away from the newly-renamed Cindy Lewis Stadium, beginning on September 6 against Maine at 3 p.m.
 
NOTES:
-Old Dominion held a 19-2 shot advantage over the Pride, with Tara McNally and Simryn Desai registering both shots for Hofstra.
-The 10 saves gives Roos her fifth game with double-digit saves in a Hofstra uniform.
-Hofstra's all-time record now stands at 1-12 against Old Dominion.