By Jordan Sawyer -- STAFF WRITER
“Think Pink Day” brought over 200 fans to the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium – fans who went home with a free hat and a winning smile after the Pride pounced on the Towson University Tigers for a 4-0 win in Sunday’s match.
Both teams went into the game looking to pick up their first win of conference play.
The Pride came out of the stables with steam and fired their first shot of the game one-minute in.
In yet another game, the Pride’s persistent pressure led to an abundance of early opportunities.
“Overall, it was just great work ethic on the defensive side and I think that really led to a lot of leads and a lot of transitions that gave us several opportunities in the circle,” said Hofstra head coach Kathy De Angelis after the game.
Madison Sauve found Anne van den Boomen in front of the net for the first goal of the game – and the first goal of her young collegiate career – as she put the ball up and over the Tigers’ goaltender.
“It was a phenomenal goal. I mean really a world class goal and that’s just an indication of what she’s got,” De Angelis said.
Two minutes later, Sauve added to the lead with a goal of her own. The speedy Sauve sneakily slithered through the defenders as she met a pass from Philine de Wolf in the crease and put it past Woodall for her eighth goal of the season.
The Pride took their first penalty corner of the game with a little over 13 minutes left to play in the first half.
Suave sent the corner to Frankie O’Brien who settled it in front of the net for a swinging Sauve to strike the ball into the goal, giving Hofstra a 3-0 lead.
Sauve added onto her already impressive outing, adding another goal to her lone score and assist.
“She’s got great execution in that circle and she’s getting a lot of leads. She’s a team player and she leads by example; I think it’s really, really pushing the young players around her,” De Angelis said.
Hofstra headed into halftime with a three-goal lead and a 12 to two advantage in shots.
The Pride found themselves with another handful of opportunities in the second half. A pass from Sauve strayed from the outstretched stick of a sliding Hannah Zemaitis who was open in front of the net as the ball trickled out of bounds.
Minutes later, Alyssa Kohler put one off the post, inches away from padding onto the lead.
The last corner of the game for the Pride led to another insurance goal with 12 minutes left on the clock.
O’Brien added to her stats with the fourth goal of the game – and the fourth goal of her freshman campaign.
Hofstra’s first shutout of the season came while facing zero shots on goal from the Tigers, with the Pride showing great improvement in the freshman-filled backline.
“It was really nice to see the pure tenacity to fight and have pure discipline on defense,” De Angelis said.
The Pride will continue conference play on Friday, Oct. 6, at Northeastern University at 6 p.m.