Wilmington, N.C. - Hofstra freshman Jill Mulholland scored a clutch goal in the 87th minute to break a scoreless tie while the Pride defense allowed just three shots-on-goal as the Pride defeated UNC Wilmington, 1-0, in the Colonial Athletic Association opener on Thursday night.

Mulholland (Levittown, N.Y.) continued a great start to her collegiate career by scoring off a rebound with 3:27 remaining in regulation to lift Hofstra to 5-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play. UNCW fell to 5-4-1 and 0-1.

Sophomore Lulu Echeverry (East Meadow, N.Y.) set up the play with a shot off the post. Mulholland put in the bounce back for her fourth goal of the season. She is now just one goal behind sophomore Sam Scolarici (Aldie, Va.) for the team lead.

Junior goalkeeper Emily Morphitis (London, England) made three saves to register her third shutout of the season. The Pride played solid defense in front of her, allowing just six total shots in the second half with only one on target.

UNCW entered the contest with three players who were in the CAA's top-10 in points. But the Pride held the trio of Stephanie Rose, Kim Currie and Morgan Leyble to zero shots on net. Juniors Ruby Staplehurst (London, England),Tara Kerns (Chesapeake, Va.) and Brittany Farriella (Lake Grove, N.Y.) played all 90 minutes on the back line for Hofstra.

Mulholland finished with a team-high three shots. Sophomore Anya Koren (Scottsdale, Az.) was the only other Pride player to record multiple shots. The midfielder finished with two as a reserve. UNCW goalie Caitlin Hunter finished with five saves.

Hofstra improved to 9-3-1 in the all-time series against the Seahawks. The Pride is now 6-1 in CAA openers under head coach Simon Riddiough. After defeating Albany, 2-1, in double overtime in the previous game, Hofstra is on its first two-game winning streak since starting the campaign with victories over Ohio State and Temple.

The Pride will next be in action on Sunday with the CAA home opener against Georgia State. Game time at Hofstra Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Brian Bohl

Senior Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
Hofstra University

Office Phone: (516) 463-6759

Cell Phone: (516) 408-8214
E-mail: brian.k.bohl@hofstra.edu