Blue Hens Dominate Second Half, But Fall to Hofstra, 1-0

Thursday, September 27

Hempstead, NY

7:00 PM

University of Delaware

2-8-1, 1-2CAA

Hofstra University

8-4, 2-1CAA

Delaware

Hofstra

Photo by: Mark Campbell

Blue Hens Dominate Second Half, But Fall to Hofstra, 1-0

9/27/2018 9:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The University of Delaware women's soccer team continues to show it can go toe-to-toe with the best in the CAA and Thursday night was no different.

Battling Hofstra, one of the CAA's traditional powers, on the road, the Blue Hens dominated play in the second half and pressured the Pride to the very last second, but came up just short 1-0 on a rainy night in Hempstead.

Junior Cali Loeffler had four saves on the night to keep Delaware close, while the Blue Hens gained seven corners, six in the second half, and rattled off nine shots on the night.

The two teams battled for possession for a majority of the first 45 minutes, with Hofstra testing the Delaware back line on several occasions, but not being able to find the back of the net for much of the first half.

With time ticking down in the first half, the Pride would find their lone goal on the night, off a header with just 63 seconds left in the stanza.

The Blue Hens would ratchet up the pressure in the second half, showing great energy and fight, forcing the Pride to play defense for the major part of the final 45 minutes.

Junior Olivia Schuck nearly tied things up in the 65^thminute when she forced the Hofstra keeper to make a diving on her header off Riley Curtin's corner kick.

Ten minutes later, Damali Simon-Ponte nearly got loose down the right sideline, but the Blue Hens were unable to maintain possession deep into the Hofstra defensive end.

Delaware's best chance may have come in literally the game's final seconds when an outlet pass into the box nearly drew a penalty, but then found the foot of Elizabeth Weimer, who blasted a point blank shot, but the Hofstra keeper was there to make the stop and secure the 1-0 victory for the Pride.

Quotable

"The biggest thing I've always asked of our team is to let their character shine through in their play. This group is battling for 90 minutes right now with a "no quit" attitude and I couldn't be more proud. We are learning more about ourselves and about what it takes to win with each passing day and there is no doubt that we are on the right track. Credit to Hofstra, they are the defending champs for a reason, but I'm excited about how we are competing right now!" - Head Coach Mike Barroqueiro

Up Next

The Blue Hens return home on Sunday when they host the Cougars of Charleston. Prior to the game, Delaware will honor its two seniors, Sofia Munn and Riley Curtin. Game time at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium is set for 1 p.m.