The Hofstra University Pride field hockey team delivered a resounding performance on Senior Day, with the players being honored with friends, family and colleagues to witness a game to remember. I was able to meet and greet with the players when they ran towards the fans before they started the game. I was thankful they recognized me I was wearing the Long Island All Starz Field Hockey shirt. From that moment on, I was grateful for the opportunity to see the girls play in action before I can watch the rest of the home games next season.
From the opening whistle, the Pride asserted control, Hofstra’s attack exploded early as the scoring frenzy began just over two minutes in when Teresa Karoff fired home her 10th goal of the season off assists from Kesia Richardson and Riley MacIntosh, slotting a shot from the top of the arc. Hofstra kept the pressure on, drawing multiple fouls and corners. At 14:26, Jamie Mc Millan capitalized on a penalty corner, assisted by Karoff and MacIntosh, to make it 2-0 heading into the second period.
The Pride didn’t let up after the break. Hofstra was about to get a goal from Teresa Karoff until it was ruled offside in the Penalty Corner. However Jaime Lewis struck twice in quick succession first at 23:20 off a pass from Caitlin Lozano, then again at 24:24 from Mc Millan who took the shot and Gwenn van Dijk on another corner. Despite a green card to Karoff early in the period, Hofstra’s depth shone through, maintaining possession and limiting New Haven to a single blocked shot. New Haven’s Eliza Caven had a shot blocked at 26:49, while Mc Millan’s attempt was stopped at 27:25. Lewis forced a save from New Haven’s Rae Kline at 28:12, as Teresa Karoff of Hofstra was about her 2nd goal until the New Haven Goalkeeper Rae Kline blocked the ball at 29:49 which it was close for Hofstra. When the 2nd Quarter finished for Halftime, Hofstra’s relentless attack and penalty corners pushed the lead to 4-0.
The third period was all Hofstra, with three more goals in under eight minutes. With Tessa Lambright replacing Luci Hollister as goalkeeper, Hofstra erupted for three goals. After a video-reviewed penalty corner at 32:20, Julia Böcker wanted to review the play for penalty corner give to Hofstra. When Hofstra took the penalty corner, Teresa Karoff reclaimed the spotlight at 32:36, pouncing on a rebound for an unassisted tally after Lewis’ shot was saved by New Haven’s Rae Kline. Moments later, at 34:07, Kelly Levengood added her third of the year off Kalyn Fluker’s assist. Jamie Lewis stopped the ball to avoid going out of bounds, go through between her legs as Kalyn Fluker got the ball, shot was block and Jamie was about to get the goal, which it was offside at 35:34. Karoff completed her first hat-trick of the season at 39:44, assisted by van Dijk on a corner it was shot low to Karoff, pushing the lead to 7-0. New Haven’s only shot on goal came from Carina Ramirez at 40:23, easily turned aside by Lambright. Van Dijk missed wide at 42:22, as Hofstra closed the period up 7-0.
Heavy substitutions marked the final period as Hofstra managed the clock. Karoff and Kristi Santos tested Kline with shots saved at 51:11 and 56:36, respectively. Pilar Penaloza, Lewis, Tess Satterfield, and Gabriella Seifert saw shots go wide or blocked between 53:37 and 57:54. Santos forced another save at 59:23, but the scoreline held at 7-0. Hofstra’s defense, allowing just one shot on goal all game, ensured a shutout to cap a memorable Senior Day rout.
This victory comes on the heels of a split week for Hofstra, including a tough loss to Northeastern. This was a Senior Day to remember! Karoff’s hat-trick, Lewis’ double, and a rock-solid defense made it a perfect day. There was 319 spectators came in to watch Hofstra Pride at Cindy Lewis Stadium on a gorgeous weather. It was Hofstra Pride’s first high scoring victory since August 26, 2023 when played against Merrimack.
The Pride’s shutout defense and offensive firepower signal momentum as they push toward the end of the season. Fans can catch highlights and full stats on Hofstra’s official athletics site.
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