Hempstead, NY –
Malena Bertone had a collegiate debut to remember with two goals as the Hofstra field hockey team opened its 2026 season with a 2-1 win over Rider from Cindy Lewis Stadium.
The Broncs opened the scoring in the second quarter when Emma Bonshack batted her own mishit out of the air and into the net at the 9:08 mark, but the lead was short-lived as Bertone found the back of the net less than two minutes later as her penalty corner shot bounced underneath goalkeeper Jade Regnart to even the score at 1-1.
Hofstra controlled much of the momentum in the contest, outshooting Rider 11-5 going into the fourth quarter, before Bertone put the Pride in front for good with her second tally of the day with 9:13 left on the clock. The Pride defense clamped down on the Broncs, not allowing an entire shot in the fourth quarter, including the final 3:12 of the game when Regnart came off for an extra Rider attacker.
Victoria Nazar assisted on both of Bertone's goals against Rider, while
Kesia Richardson and
Cara Zapach registered one assist each.
Luci Hollister made one save in the win, coming off a penalty stroke at the 9:35 mark of the second quarter.
Regnart stopped five shots in 56:48 between the posts, while Martina de Cespedes assisted on the Rider goal.
Hofstra plays at home again on Sunday at 1 p.m. versus Bryant.
NOTES:
-Hofstra improves to 17-7 all-time against Rider. The Pride have won three of the last four against the Broncs.
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Hillary Fitts is now 2-1 in home openers as the Hofstra head coach.
-The Pride outshot Rider 16-5 and didn't allow a shot in the entire second half.
-Hollister's penalty stroke save was the first of her career.
