By David Gibb, Sports Editor
Over the weekend, the Hofstra Women's soccer team asserted themselves in the Colonial Athletic Association, winning both their games and maintaining a perfect 4-0 conference record.
Friday night in Fairfax, VA the Pride took the field against George Mason. The game represented a tremendous defensive effort for both squads, as there were only six total shots taken in the first half of regulation play.
Hofstra asserted themselves in the second half, however, led by their goalkeeper, junior Krysten Farriella. Farriella had six saves in the game and earned her first official shutout of the season.
Thanks largely to the efforts of Farriella and Patriot goalie Katie Frey, the game remained tied into its 83rd minute. With the end of regulation drawing near, the Pride cashed in on a crucial corner kick. Senior Diane Caldwell took the corner, curving the ball into the net as it bounced off of a Mason defender. The goal was Caldwell's first of the season.
With the goal, the score was 1-0 Hofstra, a lead that would hold up in the game's final moments. With the victory over Mason, the Pride improved to 3-0 in CAA and 6-3-1 overall.
Looking to continue their winning ways in the CAA, the Pride traveled to Maryland to take on the Towson Tigers Sunday afternoon. Krysten Farriella had another outstanding game, this time with seven saves and another shutout en route to a 3-0 Hofstra victory.
The Pride offense was also clicking against Towson, taking twenty shots in the game. Friday night's hero Diane Caldwell and Tiffany Yovino set up a goal by Salma Tarik early in the game in the 7th minute, giving Hofstra a 1-0 advantage.
Hofstra scored early again in the second half, with Kayla Pifer tallying her second goal of the season in the 49th minute, only the third minute of the second half. The Pride continued to surge, as Salma Tarik knocked in her team-leading sixth goal of the season (and second of the game) in the 52nd minute on a header.
Between Farriella's goalkeeping and the ample offense, the Pride cruised to the 3-0 win, establishing themselves as the CAA's top team with a 4-0 conference record. Hofstra has outscored CAA opponents 11-2 in their four games, with both goals against coming in the September 24 conference opener against Delaware.
This coming weekend, the Pride will welcome ODU and William and Mary. Sunday at 1 pm at the Soccer Stadium, the Pride face William and Mary in what will be the most meaningful game in the CAA thus far this season. William and Mary own a 3-1 CAA record and are 9-3 overall, currently presenting the greatest threat to the CAA-leading Pride.