By Jeffrey Werner - STAFF WRITER
The Hofstra Pride women’s soccer team closed out non-conference play with a 3-1 home victory against the Fordham University Rams. Their non-conference record stands at 6-3.
Jill Mulholland picked up where she left off in the previous game on Sunday. Receiving the ball from Leah Galton, Mulholland fired into the left bottom corner, out of reach of the Rams goalkeeper, to record her fourth goal of the season, all of which have come within the last four games.
With the assist, Galton moved to two points away from tying the Hofstra all-time career points record held by her former teammate Sam Scolarici, who set the record last year. Head Coach Simon Riddiough says, however, that Galton isn’t thinking about the record right now.
“I don’t think it’s a question of mind. She is just a special player. She struggled a bit, but she will have confidence next week, when things get more exciting and she starts scoring goals again. We’re excited for her, and she’ll be ready to play.”
In the meantime, the opportunity for another player to step up in the scoring department was open, and Emily Agudelo took advantage. Agudelo shot the ball in the 23rd minute, and the Rams goalie looked like she had saved the ball, but she had actually misplayed it and the ball bounced into the net for Agudelo’s second goal of the season. Jenn Buoncore was credited with the assist. Agudelo’s goal was the last goal for the Pride in the first half as they entered the locker room up 2-0.
Just like in the first half, Hofstra went on the attack early and managed to add another goal to their lead, although this goal was a bizarre one. The ball was crossed into the Rams box and a defender had attempted to clear the ball out using her head. Unfortunately for her, the ball instead hit at a bad angle on the defender’s head and went backwards into the net for an own goal.
Friederike Mehring started the game in net for the Pride, but getting closer to the end of the game, Riddiough decided to let Mississippi State transfer Ashley Wilson get some time in goal. Wilson was immediately challenged as the Rams shot the ball four times at her, while Mehring saw none on goal in 75 minutes. Despite giving up one goal to the Rams, Wilson was able to stop three other shots and rthe lead for the Pride was insurmountable so they were able to cruise to a 3-1 win.
The Pride will open CAA play on the road as the travel to Williamsburg, Virginia to take on the Tribe of William and Mary on Friday at 7 p.m. They then travel to North Carolina on Sunday to play against the Phoenix of Elon at 1 pm to round out the month of September.