Late goal sinks the Pride against William & Mary

The Hofstra field hockey team lost a closely contested game 1-0 against the No. 25  College of William & Mary (W&M) in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play. Following the day’s outcome, the Pride's record falls to 6-8 overall and 1-3 in the CAA. The Tribe's record rises to 7-8 overall and 2-3 in conference.

"At the end of the day, it was an incredible matchup, very evenly matched," said Hofstra head coach Courtney Veinotte.

Sunday afternoon's lone goal of the game, scored with 1:59 remaining in regulation by W&M senior Lauren Curran, her tenth of the season, gave the Tribe a 1-0 triumph. The Tribe’s Aidan Rossman had the assist to Lauren Curran. Curran made the most of a gaping opening within the Hofstra defense and backhanded her shot into the goal to break the tie.

Hofstra fought tooth and nail to even out the score, even though they didn’t have time on their side. Tribe goalkeeper Maddie George remained firm in the net, saving a tricky shot which rebounded off several sticks with just seconds remaining in the game.

This wasn't George's first play to make the audience gasp; with little under five minutes left in the third period, she stopped a Hofstra offensive surge by stepping up to do a poke check and preventing the Pride from getting a shot. George picked up the win with one save on Pilar Penaloza’s lone attempt on goal in the fourth quarter.

Despite the loss, this was nonetheless a monumental game for Pride goalie Merlijn van der Vegt, who continues to shatter records, having achieved the ninth-most saves in a career at Hofstra. They need just three more to surpass Carys Swan, who had 290 saves and played from 2014–17.

Additionally, Cami Larson was presented with the Jonel Boileau Memorial Character Award prior to the start of the game; this award was established in memory of Hofstra alumnus Jonel Boileau who passed away from cancer in 2018.

To close out their final two CAA road games, the Pride will play on Friday, Oct. 21, against the Drexel University Dragons, who are 9-5 overall and 2-1 in CAA, and on Sunday, Oct. 23, against the University of Delaware Blue Hens.

Photo courtesy of Neil Miller/Hofstra Athletics