Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra field hockey team nearly came back from a two-goal deficit against Drexel, but the opening game of the Coastal Athletic Association schedule went to the Dragons with a 2-1 win over the Pride from Cindy Lewis Stadium. Hofstra is now 5-3 overall and 0-1 to begin conference play, and Drexel improves to 4-4 overall and 1-0 in the CAA.
 
Both of Drexel's goals came inside the final five minutes of the first quarter. Nicole Enslin finished off a rebound goal for the opening tally with 5:06 left in the quarter, and Sadie Schultz made it 2-0 to the Dragons 44 seconds later on a fast-break goal.
 
Hofstra held Drexel without a shot and took three in the third quarter, but the score remained 2-0 in favor of the visitors entering the fourth quarter. On the Pride's 10th penalty corner of the contest, the hosts found the back of the net to cut the difference to one. The ball found its way to the stick of Gwenn van Dijk, who took a hard shot from the top of the arc, and Kristi Santos got her stick in the way to get enough of a deflection to beat the Drexel goalie for her first goal with 6:02 left in regulation. Hofstra continued to press for a second, but the final horn sounded before the Pride could even the score.
 
Kesia Richardson joined van Dijk on the assist of Santos' goal. In net, Tessa Lambright got the start and made two saves in 15 minutes of action, while Luci Hollister played the remaining 45 minutes and made three stops. For Drexel, Alana Poole picked up the win with two saves.
 
Hofstra hits the road on Sunday, September 28, for a non-conference clash against Providence at noon.
 
NOTES:
-Santos' goal was the first of her college career.
-Hollister hasn't allowed a goal in the last 108:37.
-Hofstra matched a previous season-high of 10 penalty corners against two for Drexel. The previous high came against Rider.
-Hofstra is now 17-28-1 all-time versus Drexel.