By Regina Volpe – SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
The Hofstra women’s soccer team continued their wins streak with a 2-1 win over the Stony Brook Seawolves. The Pride’s season record now stands at 5-2 and flying high with five straight wins.
Leah Galton and Madeline Anderson secured the win with their respective goals both within the second period. This was Galton’s sixth and Anderson’s second goal of the season.
The first period was marked by plenty of shots but none in the net. Both teams played hard, Hofstra pushing their offense, leading SBU to amp up their defense.
This strategic play continued for the first 45 minutes, the Pride offense pushed forward and SBU defense pushed back. Thus, ending the first half with zero goals for either team.
“To be fair to them, they defended tremendously in the 18-yard box in the first half and they gave themselves the chance to win,” said head coach Simon Riddiough about Stony Brook’s defense.
Hofstra outshot the Seawolves 18-4 in the first 45 minutes, five of the Pride’s shots were on target but five saves by Stony Brook nullified their efforts.
The pinnacle of Hofstra’s lack of execution was when Galton had a clear opportunity in the 31st minute to score but she hit the left post of the goal that gave the Seawolves a sigh of relief.
Head coach Simon Riddiough commented how the lack of execution the in first wasn’t a major concern.
“I thought we actually created opportunities and not finished, I just thought it was a matter of time. When in halftime 0-0, just allows Stony Brook to have a little bit of belief,” said Riddiough.
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“We didn’t want to press the panic button. When it’s 0-0, it can get a bit frustrating and we just said ‘keep playing, eventually their back fall won’t maintain or contain goals’…if we keep creating chances, the goal will go in.”
The game began to heat up around the 50th minute, when Galton, who was assisted by Buoncore, scored the first goal of the game for Hofstra.
“Once she scored, to be honest, I thought it was going to be the flood gates. I honestly thought we were going to get two or three [goals] and then start resting people for Sunday,” said Riddiough. “Then Stony Brook just bend, didn’t break”
Stony Brook began to up their offense, taking more shots than in the previous half.
SBU’s Manuela Corcho scored the equalizing goal at the 64th minute, but the tie didn’t last long when Madeline Anderson scored Pride’s second goal of the game one minute later.
“We got some special players who will come on any given day, step up and make a difference. Today it was Maddi Anderson, she was absolutely awesome,” said Riddiough. “She’s been a life savor for us.”
Both teams felt the heat, the Pride having to maintain their lead and SBU having to make up points, the game ended with scrambles for shots and more balls missing the net.
Hofstra ultimately secured their win by sailing the ball across the field with a minute left of the game.
With this win, Hofstra’s off to play Boston University. Simon Riddiough shared his take on the team saying, "BU has been the perennial mid-major in the northeast, you got to respect that...it's definitely going to be a tough game.”
Hofstra plays at Boston University this Sunday on September 13th at 2:00 p.m.