Hofstra Drops Close Game To #15 Wake Forest

by Brian Bohl

September 4, 2012

Princeton, N.J. - Sophomore Sam Scolarici scored a goal for the fifth consecutive game this season but No. 15 Wake Forest netted two unanswered goals as the Hofstra women's soccer team lost, 2-1, to the Demon Deacons on Sunday afternoon at Roberts Stadium.

Marisa Park assisted on Wake Forest's tying goal in the first half and scored the eventual game-winner in the 57th minute to improve the Demon Deacons to 4-1-1. Hofstra dropped to 2-3 overall and lost both games in the Princeton Invitational by a single goal after falling to Colgate on Friday. Wake Forest won both games in the tournament after beating Princeton on Friday.

All three Hofstra defeats have come by a single goal.

Scolarici (Aldie, Va.) continued her torrid scoring streak to give Hofstra the early edge at 14:41. Hofstra freshman Jeannine Molleda(Clifton, Va.) set up the goal, picking up her first career assist in her first collegiate start.

Molleda completed a crisp through-ball to Scolarici, who fired a right-angle shot against one-on-one defensive coverage. Scolairci's shot nestled right under the cross bar on the far post for the 1-0 edge. Scolarici leads the CAA in goals and has scored against Ohio State, Temple, Georgetown, Colgate and the Demon Deacons.

Hofstra, which defeated the Big 10-member Buckeyes in the season opener, was looking for a second win against a power conference school But Wake Forest showed the talent that led the team to an appearance in the 2011 College Cup and a national semifinal appearance.

Less than 10 minutes after Hofstra's goal, Kristen Meier headed in Park's cross to the score at 1 at 24:08. Meier and Hofstra junior goalkeeper Emily Morphitis both jumped for the ball, making contact. But Meier was able to leap higher and headed in the shot for her second goal of the season.

Wake Forest scored the only goal in the second half to come away with the victory in the first all-time meeting between the schools. Park took Alisha Woodson's pass and fired a shot to the low left-corner for the 2-1 edge at 56:21.

Morphitis (London, England) finished with four saves while counterpart Aubrey Bledsoe also finished with four saves.

Scolarici, Molleda and juniors Amber Stobbs and Ruby Staplehurst (both from London, England) all recorded two shots for Hofstra.

The Pride will next be in action on Friday against St. Bonaventure at 7 p.m. from Hofstra Soccer Stadium.