Connector Editor
Hofstra lit up the scoreboard with three goals in the first half during last Friday’s field hockey game against UMass Lowell. Even tight defense in the second half couldn’t save the River Hawks from a 3-1 loss.
The Hofstra squad was led by Claudi Marin-Samper, who had a shooting fest. She scored the last two goals off five shots to put Hofstra in the lead.
“At the beginning of the season, we knew that UNH and UMass Amherst were going to be our main competition,” said goal keeper Kelsey Federico. “We shouldn’t underestimate Hofstra.”
Perhaps the largest contributing factor to Hofstra’s victory was shots on net. They had 22 of them, compared to UMass Lowell’s 11.
Our one goal of the night was knocked in by Bianca Jones, who was “River Hawk of the Week” two weeks ago. She had excellent positioning in front of the net, allowing her to grab the ball off of a shot on net by Christa Dorion. Jones then flicked the ball in for her sixth goal of the season.
Despite giving up three goals in the first half, the defensive unit for UMass Lowell played a very tight second half. Hofstra had the ball deep in River Hawk territory several times, but they could not find the back of the net again.
Federico, who piled up nine saves in the game, led UMass Lowell’s defensive unit. The second half saw Federico out of goal a lot, making critical stops with the ball. She did not give up any goals in the second half.
“I just tried to step out of the net and be more aggressive,” said Federico.
As far as improvements, corner defense may be a reoccurring issue for the blue and white. Hofstra scored twice off corners in the game. A subtraction of those goals would have meant a tie game for UMass Lowell.
This meeting between the Pride and the River Hawks only marks their fifth field hockey meeting in history. The River Hawks still haven’t beat Hofstra, as they have five losses and one tie.
“They [Hofstra] didn’t let us get anything easily,” said Jones.
UMass Lowell looks to avenge their loss by winning against UC Davis this Saturday.
