Hofstra Rallies For 3-1 Win Over Delaware

by Brian Bohl

October 4, 2012

Hempstead, N.Y. - Hofstra mustered all of its offensive production in the second half to erase an early deficit in posting a come-from-behind, 3-1 victory over Delaware in a Colonial Athletic Association matchup on Thursday night at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.

Freshman Leah Galton (Harrogate, England) scored the tying and winning goals for her second multi-goal performance in three games and sophomore Lulu Echeverry (East Meadow, N.Y.) netted the insurance marker in the 80th minute.

The game featured a matchup of teams that were undefeated in conference play. But Hofstra scored three times in a 15:12 span to improve to 8-4 overall and 4-0 against the CAA. Delaware built a 14-12 shot advantage but dropped to 7-5 and 4-1. With their fifth consecutive win, the Pride moved into first-place tie with William and Mary (4-0 CAA) in the league standings.

Delaware senior forward Ali Miller opened the scoring at 32:19 as the Blue Hens won the possession battle through the first 45 minutes. Delaware posted a 10-4 shot advantage in the first half and took a 1-0 lead before the break on Miller's 33rd-minute goal.

Miller, who logged all six of her shots in the first half, produced two in rapid fire succession to net her goal. Hofstra junior goalkeeper Emily Morphitis (London, England) made a great save on the initial shot, diving near the right post. Morphitis blocked the shot but the rebound came right back to Miller, who buried the second-chance opportunity for her team-leading sixth goal.

Just as the first half ended, lightning in the area caused a 45-minute delay before the resumption of play. The respite proved beneficial for the Pride as Hofstra held a 8-4 advantage in shots. The Pride's defense held the Blue Hens to just one shot-on-net after the break and the offense finally broke through.

An all freshmen connection set up Hofstra's first goal in the 64th minute. Jill Mulholland (Levittown, N.Y.) fed Galton with a pass near the top of the box and Galton delivered a hard strike high to the right side for the tying marker.

Mulholland has at least one point in seven consecutive games and is second on the team in points with 15, trailing only Galton's 17 total points.

Less than seven minutes later, Galton found the net again when she headed in junior Ruby Staplehurst's (London, England) free kick to put the Pride ahead, 2-1, at 70:44. Galton's goal off the set piece was her team-leading seventh score. She now has four goals in the last three games after also scoring twice in a CAA win over Georgia State on Sept. 23.

Echeverry provided the final margin when she took a pass near midfield and raced downfield. The midfielder dribbled 30 yards and dodged a defender before firing a shot to the right side of the net for her sixth goal of the campaign at 79:01.

Morphitis finished with five saves while Delaware counterpart Jessica Levy made three stops.

The Pride improved to 5-0 at home this season and is out-scoring opponents, 14-2, at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.

Hofstra will play Drexel on the road Sunday at 1 p.m.