Hofstra
Soccer Steadily
Improving
Story by Brian Coleman
Photos by Kevin Freiheit
S
ince Simon Riddough took over
the reigns as head coach of the
women’s soccer team at Hofstra
University, the program has seen steady
improvements year after year. Thus, after
a 2012-13 season that saw the Pride win
the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
conference tournament and earn a bid to
the NCAA tournament, expectations were
high for the 2013-14 season.
The 2012-13 conference tournament
was one of the most exciting in years, as
Hofstra pulled off upsets over Northeastern
and Wil liam and Mary (two teams whom
they lost to in back-to-back games to end
the regular season), setting up a match
with top-seeded UNC Wilmington in the
conference championship.
It wasn’t easy, as the game required
two overtime periods to settle the contest.
Sam Scolarici took a pass from the top
of the box and found the back of the net
just four minutes into the second overtime
session, winning the game and the CAA
championship for the girls from Hofstra.
Hofstra goalkeeper Emily Morphitis
earned the Most Outstanding Player of
the tournament award for her standout
play between the pipes. It was the second
conference championship in Riddough’s
tenure, and sent the Pride to the NCAA
tournament where they had a chance to
continue its cinderella run.
After knocking off North Dakota State to notch its first victory of
the young season, a rematch was set with Boston College. In one of the
more exciting games of the year, Hofstra and Boston College went back
and forth with goals. In the end, Boston College came out victorious
with a 6-5 victory in overtime. The game turned out to be the highestscoring in the history of the Hofstra soccer program.
Following that loss, the Pride really began to hit its stride. They reeled
off seven straight victories, including road wins over the University
of Albany, St. Bonaventure and Saint Josephs. Goalkeeper Emily
Morphitis continued her outstanding play by allowing just four
goals over the course of that seven-game win streak.
The streak was also capped off by a hat trick by junior
Sam Scolarici in an overtime victory over the College
of Charleston. With the game and the winning streak
on the line, the junior midfielder from Aldie, Virginia
buried her second and game-tying goal in the 87th
minute to even the score at 2-2.
She wasn’t done just yet. Four minutes into
overtime, Scolarici was able to control a ball that
was mishandled by the goalkeeper, finding the back
of the net to ensure her team’s victory. It was the first
ever CAA victory against the College of Charleston
for Hofstra.
Following the winning streak, Hofstra hit a bit
of a cold spell. The Pride went 1-2-3 in the final six
games of the season, notching ties in the final two
games of the season against CAA foes William and
Mary and James Madison.
It was the fourth appearance in the
NCAA tournament in the program’s
history, and they drew a matchup with
the Boston College Golden Eagles.
Unfortunately, that is where the run ended
as Boston College took it to Hofstra from
the opening. The Pride were outshot
19-6, and despite Morphitis making
seven saves, it wasn’t enough as two
Boston College goals brought an end to
the Hofstra season.
It was a successful one though, and
Hofstra tried to carry that success into the
2013 campaign especially with the return
of some key players. The season started
off with a tough schedule as the school
from Hempstead, N.Y. played in the Penn
State Invitational in University Park, P.A.
The competition was fierce, with
games against Syracuse University and
the host Penn State. Although they lost
both games, it was a good measuring
stick for the Pride.
avMorgan
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