August 18, 2012
STIFLING DEFENSE
Hofstra women hold Ohio St. to one shot on goal

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Hofstra scored two second-half goals and held a potent Ohio State team to only one shot-on-net as the Pride women kicked off the season with a 2-0 season-opening victory at Hofstra Soccer Stadium on Friday night.

Sophomore midfielder Lulu Echeverry (East Meadow, N.Y.) and sophomore forward Sam Scolarici (Aldie, Va.) netted the second-half goals and junior goalkeeper Emily Morphitis made one save for the shutout. Hofstra improved to 3-3 in the last six season openers while blanking a Buckeyes squad that received votes in the national National Soccer Coaches Association of America pres-eason poll.

Echeverry ensured her first collegiate goal was a memorable game-winner against an Ohio State squad that is coming off back-to-back appearances in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Division I tournament.

Fellow sophomore Erin Havard (Fairfax, Va.) hard work facilitated the goal. Havard moved around a defender just outside the penalty area's right sideline. Havard then sent a chest-high cross to Echeverry, who beat keeper Rachel Middleman to the upper right side for the 1-0 lead in the 60th minute.

Scolarici, who played as a reserve, found her way on the scoresheet in the 72nd minute to give the Pride an insurance goal. Looking to just kick it deep, Scolarici fired a sweeping shot from 40 yards. But the ball bounced in the goal area and the sidespin spiraled away from Middleman's out-stretched glove for a 2-0 advantage.

Morphitis (London) made the save in her only shot on goal faced, which came in the opening half. After picking up four clean sheets as a sophomore, Morphitis fended off six Ohio State corner kicks.

She also benefitted from stellar defense in front. Freshman Leah Galton (Harrogate, England) looked strong in her Hofstra debut, joining with junior Ruby Staplehurst (London, England) freshman Chloe Dale (Birmingham, England) and Havard to hold the Buckeyes to just three shots in the opening half and four in the second half.

Ohio State appeared to score with 40 seconds left but game officials waved off the goal, ensuring Morphitis' fifth individual shutout (she combined on eight shutouts as a freshman).

The Pride next will be in action when the team faces Temple at a neutral site at James Madison on Aug. 24 at 5 p.m.