Hempstead, NY – In the third overtime game in two weeks, the Hofstra field hockey team picked up the 2-1 win over visiting Villanova from Cindy Lewis Stadium. Hofstra is now 4-2 on the year following the win, and the Wildcats drop to 1-4.
The Wildcats opened the scoring three minutes into the start of the game on the first penalty corner of the afternoon, but Hofstra answered back off the stick of
Jaime Lewis. On Hofstra's first penalty corner of the game,
Gwenn van Dijk maneuvered herself into through the Villanova defense before taking a partially-deflected shot, and Lewis batted the ball into the goal with 3:59 remaining on the clock.
Both teams combined for 15 shots following the first quarter, but
Luci Hollister and Villanova goalie Sophia Volkel kept the opposing teams from scoring, sending Sunday's game to overtime. Over six minutes into the first overtime period, Hofstra drew a penalty stroke on a foul inside the circle.
Teresa Karoff had her attempt denied by Volkel, but the officials judged Volkel to have left her line before Karoff's attempt, leading to Karoff having another penalty stroke. On her second try, Karoff's shot found the back of the net for the winner.
Hollister made seven saves in Sunday's overtime win, while Villanova's Volkel totaled seven saves as well. Colleen Finnan was the lone goalscorer for the Wildcats.
The Pride returns to Cindy Lewis Stadium on Sunday, September 21, at 12 p.m.
NOTES:
-Hofstra is now 4-5-1 all-time against Villanova. This is Hofstra's first win against the Wildcats since 2006.
-Hofstra improves to 3-0 in overtime games this season.
-The teams finished even on 13 shots apiece, while the Pride finished with a 7-5 advantage in penalty corners.
