HEMPSTEAD, New York * Senior midfielder Becky Thorn had four goals and two assists, while scoring what turned out to be the game-winner early in the second half, to lead Hofstra to a 13-8 victory over Loyola (MD) in the season opener for both teams on Monday afternoon.

The win was the first in the head coaching career of Abby Morgan, who took over the Pride program this season after three seasons as an assistant coach.

In a game that was originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon but rescheduled for today due to a winter storm in the Baltimore area over the weekend, Hofstra jumped out to a 5-2 lead and scored the first three goals of the second half to lead 11-6 with just over 23 minutes left in the second half.

Hofstra, which was 3-4 on free position shots in the contest, got its first goal of the game off a free-position attempt from Thorn at the 26:59 mark of the first stanza.

Later in the half after Loyola got within 3-2 on a goal from Maura Kenny, Hofstra would tally back-to-back goals from junior attacker Kelly McGrath and senior attacker Kimberly Hillier to open the 5-2 advantage with 18:41 left.

Leading 8-6 at halftime, the Pride broke open a tight game as Thorn notched her fourth goal and sophomore midfielder Lauren Whitcomb followed with two of her three goals to open the commanding 11-6 lead.

They Greyhounds would cut the deficit to three, 11-8, following a goal from Colleen O'Keefe at the 15:07 mark, but Hofstra held Loyola scoreless the rest of the contest and Whitcomb and sophomore attacker Alicia Recco added insurance goals in the final two minutes to give Hofstra the 13-8 victory.

Junior goalie Maisie Osteen had a strong first game for the Pride as she tallied 11 saves in the game, including nine in the second half. Loyola keeper Karen Nicolaus made seven saves in a losing effort.

Hillier tied Thorn for team-high honors in points as she had two goals and a game-high four assists. With her four assists, Hillier moved into third all-time in assists with 63 and needs just one to tie Kristin Marshall (1999-2002) for second all-time.

Thorn influenced the game in other ways as well, contributing team-highs of three ground balls and two caused turnovers and notching a pair of draw controls. Sophomore defender Alysse Ruszlowski led the way with three draw controls and also had a pair of ground balls.

Kenny had three goals for Loyola, while Kate Filippelli added two scores for the Greyhounds. Liz Peregoy finished with a game-high five draw controls in the game and Kenny picked up three ground balls as well.

Hofstra returns to action Saturday, March 3 when they travel to Boston University. First draw is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

Box Score

2007-02-26