Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra Field Hockey team will open its 2010 home schedule at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium this weekend when the Pride host the University of Vermont on Saturday, September 4 and Sacred Heart University on Sunday, September 5. Both games will start at 1 p.m.

Hofstra (0-2) is coming off a 3-0 loss to Boston University (2-0) and a 1-0 overtime loss to Albany (2-0) at the Capital Land College Classic in New York State's Capital city last weekend. Pride junior goalie Amanda Heyde recorded 11 saves in the two games, including seven in the overtime loss to Albany, but the Hofstra offense could not put the ball in the goal. Junior midfielder Genna Kovar (Hampton Bays, NY), who led the team in scoring last season with 15 goals and five assists, was named to the 2010 Preseason All-CAA Field Hockey Team earlier this week.

Hofstra begins its home schedule Saturday against the Catamounts of Vermont (1-1). Vermont opened the season with a 4-2 loss to Delaware before downing Lock Haven, 3-1, in the New Hampshire Wildcat Invitation last weekend. The Catamounts are led junior midfielder Mackenzie Williams (Rome, NY) with two goals while senior midfielder Brittanie Booker (Wilmington, DE) has added a goal and an assist. Junior midfielder Alana Izzo (Stowe, VT) leads Vermont with two assists while junior goalie Brooke Crane (Lancaster, NH) has posted a 2.50 goals against average and a .762 save percentage (16 saves). Saturday's game is the 10th meeting between Hofstra and Vermont but the first meeting since a 3-0 Catamount victory in 2008. Vermont leads the series, 5-4.

Sacred Heart will get to meet the Pride on Sunday for the second time in 15 days after the two teams met in a scrimmage on August 20.The Pioneers, who will travel to Yale on Friday before making the trek to Long Island, come into the Yale contest with an 0-2 record, losing at Lehigh (4-1) and at West Chester (3-1) last weekend. Junior Alex Melillo (Southbury, CT) and sophomore Karly Duven (Freehold, NJ) have each scored one goal for the Pioneers this season. Senior goalie Kim Stow (Norwalk, CT) has posted a 3.50 goals against average and a .781 save percentage (25 saves) in two games this season. Sunday's game is also the 10th meeting between Hofstra and Sacred Heart with the Pride holding a 9-0 series lead. The two teams met last year in Fairfield, Connecticut with Hofstra recording a 4-1 victory.

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