On Sunday, Sept. 14, Villanova field hockey fell to Hofstra University, 2-1 in overtime at Cindy Lewis Stadium in Hempstead, NY.
Villanova went on the road for the fourth time this season. The Wildcats (1-4) started off strong with a goal from junior forward Colleen Finnan in the first three minutes. Finnan has scored in back-to-back games for the Wildcats, scoring twice on three shots on goal.
“Addie Froehlich actually put that ball right on Colleen’s stick and Colleen was in a perfect position to redirect it in the goal,” head coach Joanie Milhous said. “So, it was just really, really, well executed. It was a great way to start.”
However, Villanova could not score another goal despite having eight of its 13 shots on goal.
The Wildcats were able to hold Hofstra (3-1) scoreless for the first 11 minutes of the game until the Pride scored off a penalty corner, tying the game, 1-1.
Hofstra could only manage to get three shot attempts off in the first quarter against Villanova’s defense. Villanova freshman goalie Sophie Volkel collected seven saves while allowing two goals. Volkel set her collegiate record for saves in a game as well as shots faced. Through four games played, she has 11 saves.
“[Volkel’s] very dynamic,” Milhous said. “She makes really big saves. She’s very quick on defending the opponents, attacking penalty corners on straight shots. We’re really excited about her, and we’re also really excited about Maddi Sears, because the two of them are really strong together. So right now, Sophie is getting that nod, but Maddi is right there, as well.”
Both defenses were able to hold off each other, entering halftime tied at one.
The Wildcats had a quick start to the third quarter, getting downfield for a shot attempt five minutes into the half. Villanova generated four shot attempts in the third period, which were all unsuccessful.
Graduate forward Ava Borkowski had a shot on goal late in the third quarter that was blocked by Hofstra’s goalie. Three of Borkowski’s five shot attempts were on net. She currently leads the Wildcats with three goals this season.
Villanova’s second-half defense was a highlight of its performance against Hofstra, shutting out the team from finding the back of the net.
“Our defense is really strong,” Milhous said. “…they don’t turn over the ball. Our marking got tighter. We did allow them to come into our circle more than we let other teams, but these guys are really strong, they’re very poised, they’re very disciplined, they do a fantastic job for us.”
After regulation ended in a tie and forced overtime, Villanova’s defense struggled to keep Hofstra’s offensive attack at bay.
In the first five minutes of overtime, Hofstra had four shot attempts that were all off the mark until the Pride’s senior Teresa Karoff buried a game-sealing shot on the fifth attempt off a penalty stroke.
While the Wildcats are winless on the road, their two upcoming games will both take place at home in Conshohocken, PA, at the Proving Grounds.
“Our record doesn’t show how talented we are,” Milhous said. “So we’re at that point right now that I don’t want our girls to get discouraged, because we do have a lot of talent, and we just need to show it all together.”
The team is going to focus on locking down its D25 and A25, playing against strong offensive teams and needing the ability to secure goals.
Villanova will continue its season playing University of Connecticut (2-3) at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19 (ESPN+). Following that game, the Wildcats will take on Northwestern (6-0) on Sunday, Sept. 21 (FloSports, 3 p.m.).
