Hofstra University Athletics

WSOC: Sweet 16 - Hofstra Extends Win Streak With 2-0 Victory Over UNCW

10/24/2010 7:36:00 PM

Hempstead, N.Y. - Senior midfielder Tiffany Yovino (Holtsville, N.Y.) scored for the seventh straight game, and senior forward Salma Tarik (Bellmore, N.Y.) added an insurance goal in the second half as the 22nd-ranked Hofstra Women's Soccer team extended its winning streak to 16 games with a 2-0 win over UNC Wilmington on Sunday afternoon at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.

With the win, the Pride improves to 16-1 overall and 10-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association, clinching the regular season title outright. Hofstra has a two-game lead over second-place James Madison (8-2 CAA) with one regular season game remaining, and will host the CAA Tournament on Nov. 5-7 (the other two teams are to be determined). UNC Wilmington falls to 9-9 overall and 6-4 in the CAA with the loss, and could qualify for the CAA Tournament as well with a win over Georgia State next weekend.

Yovino scored at the 15:30 mark of the first half off a free kick from 35 yards. Sophomore defender Amy Turner (Stocksbridge, England) took the kick and sent a line drive into the middle of the penalty box. Yovino was able to sneak in front of her defender, and with her back to goal, she skimmed the ball off her head and into the left side of the net for her ninth goal of the season. Yovino has also scored in seven straight games (all in conference), with eight goals in that span.

Hofstra starting goalkeeper Krista Thorn (Smithtown, N.Y.) had to make only one save in the first half on a long shot from UNC Wilmington Amanda Holmes from 25 yards. Thorn also made a nice play to dive at the top of the six-yard box to stop a cross from Holmes that was intended for Erin Pardini at the far post.

Tarik then extended the lead to 2-0 with an insurance goal with 13:24 left in regulation. Sophomore defender Danielle Murino (Bohemia, N.Y.) started the play when she played a through ball near the right sideline to junior forward Laura Greene (Holbrook, N.Y.). Greene got to the end line on the right side and played a cross into the middle of the box. Tarik settled the ball 12 yards out, faked a shot, took one quick dribble to her right, and buried a shot in the lower left corner for her 10th goal of the season.

The Pride finished with a 16-4 edge in shots, although it took a while for Hofstra to control possession. Shots were 5-3 in Hofstra's favor at halftime and 5-4 at the 60-minute mark, before the Pride took the final 11 shots of the game. Caitlin Hunter had three saves for UNC Wilmington, including a reflex save of a one-timer from Tarik in the middle of the second half.

Hofstra also improved to 8-0 at home this season and 51-11-6 all-time at Hofstra Soccer Stadium, since the facility opened in 2003.

The Pride will next be in action when it closes out the regular season on Saturday with a 4:30 p.m. game against Northeastern, which will be the first part of a doubleheader with the Hofstra Men's Soccer team, which faces William & Mary at 7 p.m. Saturday will also be alumni day and senior day for both programs, as the Pride's senior classes will be honored prior to the games.

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