Hofstra returns plenty of firepower

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Hofstra women’s soccer graduated its all-time leading scorer last year, but in 2015 returns another offensive weapon poised to take over the scoring crown.

Sam Scolarici completed her four-year Pride career with 50 career goals to surpass the previous program mark set by Christa Eidenweil. While Scolarici’s production is hard to replace, senior Leah Galton, who has won back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year Awards, enters her final season with 36 career goals and is 15 shy from breaking Scolarici’s mark.

“When you have the reigning two-time CAA Player of the Year it brings a lot of confidence,” said 10th-year Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough of Galton, an England native who was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s list of the 100 best Division I players entering 2015 and has 92 career points. “On any given day she can take over a game.”

Galton is looking to end her heralded career with an NCAA Tournament appearance, which she last achieved in her freshman season in 2012. Hofstra narrowly missed reaching its fourth NCAA Tournament last year with a 2-0 setback to Northeastern in the CAA title game and was then passed over for an at-large bid. Hofstra was picked to finish second in the preseason CAA poll behind Northeastern.

Complementing Galton on Hofstra’s offensive attack is sophomore Kristin Desmond, who saw time as a forward and defender as a freshman and could see plenty of time on the offensive end. The 2013 Long Island High School Player of the Year from Northport scored three goals and eight points while battling through injuries in 13 games last season.

“She has a blue collar mentality,” said Riddiough of Desmond, who scored 46 goals in her high school career. “She is very versatile.”

Adding to the Pride’s offensive attack is senior Jeannine Molleda, who was an All-CAA first team selection last year after tallying eight points. Redshirt junior Jill Mulholland looks to also add some offensive spark after injuries cut her seasons short the last two years. The MacArthur High School product scored a key goal in Hofstra’s 2-1 upset at Duke last year and was a key contributor to the Pride’s 2012 CAA title team.

“She was extremely successful in the early part of last season,” said Riddiough of the Levittown native. “We’re hoping that she stays healthy because if she does Hofstra is a very different team.”

Mulholland’s former MacArthur teammate Katie Gerdes is also looking to bounce back from injury. The Wantagh native’s freshman season was cut short after eight games, but she is back healthy for her sophomore campaign. Gerdes’ twin sister Kelly however will miss her second straight season after tearing her ACL in the spring, the same injury suffered last year.

Mulholland and the Gerdes sisters are among several local players Riddiough has recruited that look to make an impact. Junior Emily Agudelo from Long Beach started all 21 games last year and scored a dramatic free kick goal from 45 yards away in Hofstra’s 4-3 CAA semifinal win against James Madison. Freshman Madeline Anderson from Clarke High School has started on defense, and sophomore goalie Jenna Borresen (East Meadow High School) will also look to contribute to the championship quest.

“We have gotten some great talent from the local area,” Riddiough said.

Senior midfielder Chloe Dale adds some veteran experience entering 2015 after starting every game in her first three years at Hofstra. The England native was an All-CAA third-team selection last year. “She is our senior leader,” Riddiough said. “She is well respected by everyone on the team.”

Junior goalkeeper Friederike Mehring earning the starting job for a second straight season, but also has strong competition from Mississippi State transfer Ashley Wilson, Borresen and sophomore Carolyn Carerra, who also plays defense on Hofstra’s women’s lacrosse team.