HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The top-seeded Hofstra University earned the Colonial Athletic Association title for the first time since 2012, topping third-seeded Northeastern, 2-1, at Hofstra Soccer Stadium to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament Sunday afternoon.

The Pride (15-3-2, 9-0) completed its sweep of the CAA and extended its win streak to 12 games and its unbeaten run to 14, while Northeastern moved to 13-6-3 on the season.

Freshman Lucy Porter got things started early for Hofstra, netting her second goal of the tournament 84 seconds into the game to give the Pride a 1-0 lead, putting away a pass from classmate Bella Richards into the top right side of the net.

Northeatsern answered in the 16th minute, with Valentina Soares Gache sending in a free kick that Kerri Zerfoss headed into the back of the net to knot at 1-1.

Junior Jenn Buoncore then netted the game-winner before the end of the first half, getting a head on a free kick from classmate Monique Iannella in the 32nd minute.

Northeastern pressed for an equalizer in the second half, but the Pride held strong, with goalkeeper Ashley Wilson making three saves in the latter stanza to preserve the lead.

Senior Kristin Desmond, who was crowned CAA player of the year earlier this week, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Juniors Madeline Anderson and Jenn Buoncore and freshman Lucy Porter were named to the all-tournament team.

Hofstra will await its opponent and game location for the NCAA tournament. The NCAA’s selection show airs at 4:30 p.m. on Monday on NCAA.com.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.