2007 and helped the Pride to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. She is a three-time AllCAA and three-time all-region selection and has the versatility to play either an offensive or defensive role in the midfield. She also has had a flair for the dramatic in her career, including a tying (Richmond) and winning (Delaware) goal in the final two minutes of regulation last year.
last year and played with exceptional poise for a freshman in 2009. She is a sure tackler who is tough and reads the game well. Senior Dana Bergstrom moved from forward to left back a year ago and played every minute of every game, providing the Pride with a dangerous weapon up the left flank with her booming left foot. Bergstrom is also frequently used on set pieces due to her powerful shot and accurate corner kicks.
Tiffany Yovino
Breen also stepped in and started right away as a freshman, and has taken on a defensive role to allow Yovino to push forward more often. Breen has also been an All-CAA and all-region selection in both of her first two seasons and is Hofstra’s strongest player in the air, making her a dangerous weapon on set pieces.
Laura Greene Sophomore Brooke Bendernagel started three games last year at center back while Caldwell was playing for the Ireland national team and also had a strong spring season, showing the potential to be a full-time starter this year. Redshirt freshman Brittany Farriella sat out last season and could
Butts has proven to be a perfect complement to Yovino and Breen, as she does a lot of the hard work in the midfield to allow the other two to push forward and go to goal. Butts could potentially provide some scoring punch herself, but with all the offensive weapons that the Pride has up top and a young team in the back, she may play conservatively this fall. Murino proved to be a strong addition to the Pride last year, scoring a pair of goals and adding an assist off the bench. As the year went on, she played with more and more confidence and would take defenders on off the dribble. She is a versatile player who could also see substantial playing time at forward or outside back this season. Hofstra also hopes to have some depth in the midfield to utilize as well. Redshirt sophomore Nicki Choffel missed last season with a knee injury after seeing some playing time off the bench as a freshman, but is expected to return at full strength. Incoming freshman Tara Kerns has the potential to be an immediate contributor in her rookie season. Amber Stobbs, a speedy player who was also a scholastic sprinter in England, could fill in at midfield, or potentially move up to forward, if needed.
Defense Hofstra has plenty of depth and talent up front, but has some question marks to fill defensively, as it will have two new starters on the back four and a new starting goalie. Seniors Diane Caldwell and Jess Crankshaw started for four years for the Pride before graduating last year, while Krysten Farriella graduated after starting two years at goalkeeper. The Pride does have two key members of its back four returning. Sophomore center back Amy Turner was a CAA All-Rookie selection
Dana Bergstrom
also play on the central defensive unit, while British freshman Ruby Staplehurst is expected to challenge for playing time with her on the back four or at forward. The Pride also has the option of moving one of its midfielders to the defensive unit this season.
Goalie Returning sophomore Kylie Shuster was lost for the season with a knee injury suffered in the spring, which opens the door for one of two new players to start this year (or potentially split time). Senior Krista Thorn, who played goalkeeper for one year at Iona in 2007 before transferring to Hofstra to join the softball team, will also break out the goalie gloves once again this season for the Pride. British freshman Emily Morphitis has gained a lot of experience playing for the England junior national teams (U15, U17, U19) and with the Chelsea reserves, which Hofstra’s coaching staff hopes will give her a steady influence in net that belies her freshman status.
Hofstra 2010 Women’s Soccer
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