HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Hofstra University women’s head coach Simon Riddiough announced the fall schedule Wednesday, which includes four teams that advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament and 11 that finished last season with a winning record.
“I’m excited for the challenge of our schedule this season,” Riddiough said. “It’s very well balanced. The competitive level of our nonconference schedule will have us well prepared for conference play.”
The Pride opens the season with three consecutive road games, kicking off at Penn State for the third successive year with a matchup against the Nittany Lions Aug. 20. Penn State finished 26th in the RPI in 2016 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Hofstra travels to local-rival Columbia Aug. 25. The Lions finished last season at 7-6-4, with one of their losses coming at the hands of the Pride. Hofstra concludes the road trip at Boston University Aug. 27. The Pride picked up its first win over the Terriers in Division I program history last season.
The home opener is set for Aug. 31 against reigning Big Sky champion Eastern Washington State. The Eagles finished last season at 13-5-4, earning the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The match against the Eagles is the beginning of a four-game home-stand for the Pride, with Yale making the trip here Sept. 4, followed by Fordham Sept. 8 and Monmouth Sept. 10. The Rams finished last season at 10-5-5, while the Hawks took home the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament, finishing with a 14-5-2 record.
The Pride hits the road once again Sept. 14, travelling to neighboring foe Stony Brook. The Seawolves were 9-8-3 in 2016.
Colonial Athletic Association play begins Sept. 21 at Delaware, before Hofstra returns home to host conference opponents UNCW and Drexel Sept. 24 and 28, respectively. The Pride travels to William & Mary Oct. 1 and to Towson Oct. 5.
James Madison comes to Hofstra Soccer Stadium Oct. 8, and the Pride makes the trip to reigning CAA champion Northeastern Oct. 12. The Huskies finished with the highest RPI in the conference at 57 and were narrowly edged, 1-0, by third-seeded Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Hofstra will honor its seniors in the home finale against Elon Oct. 15, before closing the regular season at Charleston Oct. 22.
The CAA quarterfinals will be held Oct. 29. The regular-season champion will host the semifinals and championship Nov. 3 and 5, respectively.
