Hofstra’s One-Two Punch Prevents Terriers’ First Win of the Season

By Akshai Wadhwani        August 23, 2018

HEMPSTEAD, NY  –  Royce Light’s first career goal proved not quite enough to produce Boston University’s first victory of the 2018-19 season, as they fell to the Hofstra Pride, 2-1, on Thursday evening.

Light’s header off a McKenna Kennedy free kick gave the Terrier women a 1-0 lead in the 65^th minute of play, and with thirty seconds remaining in the second half, BU appeared to have sneaked away with the victory. Hofstra’s Madeline Anderson, however, had other ideas.

The senior defender managed to get her head on a corner kick and send a shot towards the bottom right corner of the Terrier net. With goalkeeper Morgan Messner frozen, BU’s Hannah Wilcox at first appeared to have headed the ball off the line; however, referee Joe Zawistowski gave the goal moments later to confirm a 90^th minute equalizer.

In extra time, the Pride continued to threaten, with Megan Fischer and Sabrina Bryan both narrowly missing the BU goalframe. The Terriers had a chance of their own to win it on the cusp of the 105^th minute, when Anna Heilferty sent a half-volley inches wide of the top left corner.

Then, six minutes into the second half of extra time, Hofstra struck again off a corner kick to seal victory. Jordan Littleboy’s inswinging ball was met initially by forward Jen Buoncore, before Lucy Porter helped it on into the net.

The result sees the Terriers drop to 0-3 on the season. The Pride, meanwhile, move to 2-1, and have completed the double after also beating BU by the same scoreline last year.

The hosts finished with a 14-8 edge in shots, including a 6-1 advantage in the first half of extra time. Excepting Light’s goal, BU managed only a single shot on frame. Hofstra also kept the Terriers off the corner flags entirely, while earning ten CK’s of their own.

Aside from the final match stats, BU also has other worries: They lost two key players within regular time.

Seconds after making an excellent save off a shot by Bryan, starting goalkeeper Amanda Fay left the match in the 47^th minute. Then, later in the second half, midfielder Julianna Chen walked off the pitch after taking a ball directly to the face from point-blank range.

Keeper Messner notched her first career appearance when she was substituted in for Fay. The freshman made her lone save of the match in the 51^st minute off a Bella Richards shot attempt.

Having lost three matches in a row for the first time in almost two years, the Terriers need a return to winning ways. Their lengthy remaining nonconference schedule should help; they have six matches left to recover form before beginning Patriot League competition on September 16 against American.

Next Up: The Terriers will arrive back in Boston for their first home match of the season versus Princeton. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 4 p.m.