Preview: The NCAA Tournament is a familiar setting for Hofstra and Georgetown

The Hofstra women’s soccer team will suit up against fifth-seeded Georgetown University Hoyas in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship at Shaw Field in Washington, DC, on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.

Hofstra secured the tournament bid after defeating Northeastern University 2-1 in overtime to win the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship. This will be Hofstra’s second year in a row in the national tournament and their 10th NCAA appearance in program history, as the Pride has advanced to the second round in each of their last three appearances.

Hofstra finished their season with a 10-7-4 overall record and a 3-4-2 conference record. Although they repeated as CAA champions, the program’s fifth in the last six seasons, the team this year has looked a bit different from previous years

Even though their top three goal scorers from last season are gone, it has not stopped the team from grinding to produce. Freshman Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir and senior Ellen Halseth lead the team in scoring with seven goals each. Thorhallsdottir and Halseth will be two to watch on the offensive front for the Pride.

Like the Pride, the Hoyas also received an automatic bid after defeating Xavier University 1-0 in the Big East Championship. This is Georgetown’s 11th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament and their 13th overall appearance in program history.

Georgetown ended its season with an impressive 14-1-5 overall record and an 8-0-2 conference record and enter the tournament with a 17-game unbeaten streak. Senior Gia Vicari leads the team with six goals and four assists while also being an All-Big East First Team selection. Big East Defensive Player of the Year Julia Leas and Goalkeeper of the Year Allie Augur are huge pieces on the defensive end for the Hoyas, who only allowed= eight goals all season, as Augur recorded 15 shutouts.

With a strong offense from the Pride and a strong defense from the Hoyas, the game should produce an exciting matchup that will have the teams vying for their spot in the next round.

Photo Courtesy of Neil Miller/Hofstra Athletics