Hofstra field hockey drops game against Northeastern 6-2

The Hofstra University field hockey team was defeated by the Northeastern University Huskies by a score of 6-2 on Friday, Oct. 20, in Dedham, Massachusetts. The Huskies scored the first goal of the game midway through the first quarter and kept the lead the rest of the way.

The Pride were heavily outplayed in this match, giving up a resounding 38 shots. Hofstra only registered 10 shots in comparison. It wasn’t until the second quarter that the Pride took their first shot. Hofstra was outshot 16-0 in the first quarter alone. In regard to shots on goal, Northeastern was much more accurate, hitting the net 29 times compared to Hofstra’s five times.

Northeastern was much more aggressive offensively, taking 15 corner attempts compared to four from Hofstra. The Huskies scored three of their six goals during play immediately after corner attempts. The Pride scored one goal directly after a penalty corner, that goal came from Tara McNally, her fourth of the season.

Pieke Roos was terrific in the net, making 22 saves in the match. This is the most saves Roos has had to make this season since September, with her previous high being 18. It is also the highest number of overall team saves the Pride has made in the year with 23.

Northeastern’s Alex Mega and Sarah Coyle scored two goals each. Lara Taylor and Mak Graves each had a goal for the Huskies as well. Huskies goalkeeper Kristina Merashoff made three saves during the match.

Mega scored both of Northeastern’s second-quarter goals, including the eventual game-winner. Both of Mega’s goals were scored within two minutes of each other. The tallies put the Pride behind 2-0 and 3-0, respectively.

Hofstra was able to battle back early in the third quarter and make it a one-goal game, but Northeastern pulled away after Coyle scored two goals in the second half. For Coyle, it was her fourth and fifth goal of the season.

Hofstra freshman Maya Williams scored her first career goal quickly after the Pride fell behind by three. Williams was able to get the Pride on the board just 22 seconds after Mega got her second tally of the game.

With the loss, the Pride moved to 5-10 overall on the season. Losing to Northeastern brings Hofstra’s conference record to 1-4.  Northeastern now holds a 7-8 record after the win and improved to 3-2 in conference play this season.

Hofstra remains in seventh place in the Coastal Athletic Association after losing their fourth straight game.

Hofstra’s next matchup is out of conference on the road against Bryant University at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22. The Pride will then return to conference play on Friday, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m. at Monmouth University.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Jon Reiss