FINAL SCORE: Hofstra 4, Vermont 2
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The University of Vermont field hockey squad dropped its season opener against Hofstra in a 4-2 decision Friday afternoon at Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium. The Catamounts fall to 0-1, while the Pride improves to 1-0.
 
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Starting goalie Lena Benwood tallied five quick saves in the opening minutes of regulation, including one of two penalty corners, to answer Hofstra's early offensive push. Just under the 25-minute mark, a UVM foul allowed Hofstra's Claudia Marin Samper to sneak one low past the Catamount defense on an assist from Charlotte Loehr, to give the Pride a 1-0 advantage.
 
Four minutes later, Samper struck again on a long pass from Loehr for a 2-0 lead.

Vermont freshman Lauren Tucker was able to break through the Pride's defensive line and respond with the first Catamount goal of the season. The tally was Tucker's first goal of the season, cutting the Hofstra's lead to 2-1 at the 17:21 mark.
 
Roughly 15 minutes into the second half, Hofstra's Stella Schoen drove a shot through a line of Vermont defenders and under the legs of Benwood at the to restore the Pride's two-goal lead. Samper capped off her hat trick six minutes later as she chipped in her third goal just over Benwood, increasing the lead to 4-1.
 
Senior captain Molly Higgins brought the Catamounts back to within two, streaking down the field coverting a pass from Tess O'Brien. Benwood posted an impressive performance with 14 saves but it was not enough as the Pride secured the two-goal victory.
 
UVM returns to action Sunday (Aug. 30) on the road against Sacred Heart at Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium for a 1:30 p.m. match. The Catamounts return to Moulton Winder Field for their home opener against Rider University on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m.