Field hockey cannot find rhythm, loses to Delaware

The Hofstra field hockey team extended their losing streak to four with their 6-4 loss to the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens 6-4 on Sunday, Oct. 23. The Pride’s record is now 6-10 and 1-5 in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). 

At the start of the first period, the Blue Hens controlled the game offensively as they held the ball in Hofstra territory for the first 10 minutes and put up three shots on goal. Delaware’s Julia Duffhuis put up the first shot but was denied by senior goalie Merlijn van der Vegt. Berber Bakermans went for the second shot but was also unsuccessful. The third time was indeed the charm when the Blue Hens’ senior midfielder Morgan Rigual got past van der Vegt. 

Delaware didn’t let up and added five more shots on goal in the period. They scored again with Emma Miller’s shot and lead the game 2-0 to close out the first quarter. 

The start of the second period resembled most of the first as the Blue Hens continued to apply pressure on Hofstra’s defense. Izzy Rothwell got the best of van der Vegt when she found the back of the net for the third time for the Blue Hens in the 18th minute.

At this point, the Pride got a second wind and began reforming offensively as proven by a shot from Lieke Gorsse that put Hofstra on the board 3-1. Seconds later, the Pride stormed down the field and scored another goal by Cami Valor. The second period ended with a score of 3-2. 

After halftime, the Blue Hens continued to peck away at the Pride. The offense came into and stayed on Hofstra’s territory. Duffhuis scored another goal to bring the scoring gap to 4-2. Lisa Kater followed up the goal with one of her own in the 39th minute to make it a 5-2 game. 

The Blue Hens thrived offensively for the remaining minutes in the third period. They put three more shots on goal but simply could not connect. 

In the fourth period, Hofstra gave more resistance on the Blue Hens’ side of the field. A goal by Gorsse cut the deficit to 5-3. Hofstra’s Samantha Spera scored another goal to put the Pride within one goal of the home team. 

After coming within a one-point game, Hofstra could not contain the Blue Hens’ offense as they failed to fight off a goal by Genevieve Johnson. Delaware led 6-4 as the game ended.

The Pride put four shots on goal compared to Delaware’s 14 shots on goal. Gorsse lead the team in shots on goal with two in the game. 

The field hockey team, in the final stretch of the season, looks to get a win on the board with their next matchup against the Rider University Broncos on Sunday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium. 

Photo courtesy of Alexis Friedman/Hofstra Chronicle