that have come back, and we are playing
confidently. We know every game is a
battle we just have to be consistent in our
games and we can win our conference
again.”
Coach Riddiough is entering his
eighth year as the head coach of The
Pride. Since he started coaching in 2005,
the Hofstra women’s soccer team has
won the CAA conference three times and
has gone to the NCAA tournament four
times, advancing to the second round of
the tournament twice.
HOFSTRA PRIDE
SEEKS CAA CONFERENCE
Story by Jaclynkelli Kronemberg
Photos by Bill Kelly
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“Coach Simon is not only a great
coach, but is also a great person and
friend,” said Kerns, “One of the main
reasons I chose Hofstra is because of the
coaching staff. Coach Simon and coach
Tobi both know how to get the job done
and how to have fun at the same time.”
The women’s soccer team only lost
three seniors to graduation, one of them
being a starter. The Hofstra Pride is
stacked with talented players that know
what it is like to play in the NCAA
tournament and want to get back there.
They have a strong offensive starting
unit that is led by sophomore midfielder
Leah Galton and junior midfielder Sam
Scolarici.
Galton shined as a freshman last
season, earning the Colonial Athletic
Association rookie of the year. She
also earned all-CAA rookie team, allCAA first team, and was a NSCAA
all-midatlantic first team pick. She led
Hofstra in goals as a freshman, and was
second in the CAA in goals and points.
This season Galton was listed as the
conference preseason player of the year.
So far this season Galton has six goals
and eight assists. “Leah is big, fast and
strong,” said Riddiough, “She is a very
good player.”
Farriella. “These three are tremendous
players and great leaders,” said
Riddiough.
Kerns is a three year starter. “Tara
does all the dirty work for us,” said
Riddiough, “She is hard working, and is
our connection between the defense and
offense.”
Staplehurst led the team in assists last
season. “Ruby is a great defender and is
dangerous offensively,” said Riddiough.
Farriella is a three year starter.
“Brittany works hard and keeps us
organized as a unit,” Riddiough said.
Hofstra is in for a challenge in the
CAA conference. William and Mary and
James Madison are always in contention
for the conference title. If the Hofstra
Pride continues to play hard, they can get
back to where they ended last season.
“We have good team chemistry,
everyone is buying into the system and
working hard,” said Riddiough, “I’m
happy with the way we are playing right
now.”
Scolarici is currently leading the
nation in goals with 13 goals. “Sam works
hard and is playing with confidence,”
said Riddiough, “She knows where the
goal is and is always looking to score.”
The defense is led by seniors Tara
Kerns, Ruby Staplehurst and Brittany
ast year the Hofstra women’s
soccer team won the Colonial
Athletic Conference, and made it to the
first round of the NCAA tournament
where they lost to Boston College. This
year they are striving for a repeat as
conference champions, and make it back
to the NCAA tournament.
“This year we want to win the CAA
for a second year in a row,” said senior
defender/midfielder Tara Kerns, “ No one
has ever won it two years in a row. We
also want to make it far in the NCAA
tournament, this program has grown
competitively over the years and we have
no limits on our potential as a team.”
The Pride currently has eight wins,
four losses and one tie overall and in
conference they have two wins one loss
and one tie.
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“We have a fairly solid team and are
playing well,” said Hofstra women’s
soccer head coach Simon Riddiough,
“We have good players with experience
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