Field hockey overwhelmed in non-conference game against Yale

The Hofstra Pride field hockey team struck first, but they couldn’t hold on to the lead, losing 6-1 on the road against the Yale University Bulldogs. Lieke Gorsse scored the lone goal for the Pride, her third of the season.  

The loss drops the Pride to 7-10 on the season and concludes their non-conference schedule with a 6-6 record against non-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opponents. 

After a quiet first quarter that saw neither team score, Gorsse made a play on a ball that rebounded off a Yale defender to get the Pride on the board. The goal stopped a personal drought for Gorsse, as she hadn’t scored a goal since Sunday, Sept. 5, against Davidson College.

Yale struck back almost immediately, as Theodora Dillman tied the game on a penalty corner a minute and ten seconds after Gorsse’s goal. The Bulldogs took the lead before the half ended, scoring on another penalty corner, this time by Keely Comizio.

Yale didn’t look back after this, scoring four more goals in the second half to break the game open. Despite recording four saves, goalie Merlijn van der Vegt allowed four goals, the second-most they have allowed in a game all season. Cecelia DeSimone recorded playing time in net for the second time this season, making two saves and allowing two goals.

Yale’s biggest strength in this game was their diversity of scoring. Despite scoring six goals, nobody recorded more than one goal. Additionally, they spread the ball around, as all their goals were assisted on. The Pride’s lone goal from Gorsse was unassisted.

Despite the disparity in the score, Hofstra had plenty of opportunities to make up ground in the game. The Pride recorded nine shots on goal and 13 shots in total. However, Yale goalie Luanna Summer rose to the occasion, only allowing the one goal and recording seven saves, her third-most in a game this season.

Four separate players on the Pride recorded multiple shots on goal, led by Eline Oldeman, who had three. Cami Valor made the most out of her nine minutes on the field, recording two shots on goal, including one that was batted down by Summer in the fourth quarter.

This was the Pride’s first matchup against Yale since 2019 when they defeated the Bulldogs 2-1 at home.

The Pride wraps up their season with a trip to Boston to face the Northeastern University Huskies on Friday, Oct. 29, at 4p.m.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics