LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Hofstra University women’s season came to a close in the second round of the NCAA Division I tournament Tournament on Friday afternoon losing to the University of South Carolina, 3-0, at Soni McAlister Field on the campus of the University of Southern California.
Hofstra concluded the season at 17-4-1 and finished with the second highest wins in program history. South Carolina improved to 13-6-1.
“We gave a very good Gamecock team everything they could handle,” Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough said. “I am unbelievably proud of this team. I am humbled to be coaching them. These players have set the stone for the future generations of Hofstra programs. We’re going to keep building on it. What this team has managed to accomplish in 4-5 years is something truly special.”
South Carolina’s Samantha Chang struck first in the 22nd minute.
The Pride was dangerous in the second half and outshot the Gamecocks, 14-5, but could not find the net.
Within the first 15 minutes, Hofstra recorded four solid opportunities. That included a header by Miri Taylor that was served into the box by Jordan Littleboy but stopped by a diving goalkeeper Heather Hinz. Minutes later, Littleboy played another ball forward for Shepherd, but Shepherd’s header went inches high.
Hofstra’s closest chances came in the final 20 minutes when Taylor and Louise Hayden hit the crossbar about eight minutes apart. In between those two opportunities, South Carolina took a 2-0 lead on Catherine Barry’s goal at 76:54 bewfore Ryan Gareis put one away in the 86:55.
The Pride finished with a 18-9 shot advantage in shots. Hinz made six saves in net while Skylar Kuzmich made two stops.
