Hofstra women’s soccer kicked off the 2025 season on Aug. 14 with a flair for the dramatic that served as springboard for the program’s best start in four years.
In muggy conditions that caused multiple players to go down with cramps, the Pride appeared headed for an opening night draw before sophomore forward Hailey Moschitta headed in a feed from Maggie Peterson with 5.6 seconds remaining for a 2-1 victory against St. Joseph’s (Pa.). It marked the latest game-winning goal in the program’s 32-year history.
“We were just knocking on the door all day,” said 20th-year Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough of the Monmouth match in which the Pride outshot the Hawks 22-2. “We've got enough individual talent on this team that we can make a big play at any time.”
Momentum from the St. Joseph’s victory carried over into a commanding 3-0 victory against Quinnipac back home at Captains Field on Aug. 17. Hofstra (3-1) then knocked off Columbia 2-1 last Friday for the program’s first 3-0 start since 2021 with its unbeaten streak ended in a a 4-0 setback at Yale on Sunday.
The Pride are looking to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022 with a veteran squad of 19 returning players fueled for a deep postseason run after falling to Monmouth in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) semifinals for a second straight season. Hofstra captured five CAA titles in six seasons from 2017 to 2022.
The many returners include last year’s leading scorer Millie Davies, who tallied seven goals and five assists. The senior midfielder from Manchester, England was an All-CAA selection the last two seasons and Riddiough said she has a solid chance to play professionally after college.
The offense also returned graduate forward Mathilde Braithwaite, a Third Team All-CAA selection who had five goals as a senior. Senior midfielders Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir and Aimee Hodgson are also back on the pitch after tallying points last fall.
Hofstra got a big scoring boost with the addition of Manon Lebargy, a Middle Tennessee State transfer who was C-USA Midfielder of the Year last season after scoring 13 goals with four assists.
“She is a fantastic addition,” said Riddiough of Lebardy, who scored two goals in the Quinipac victory. “She brings a tremendous amount of energy that resonates with the whole team.”
Peterson and Moschitta, who connected on the winning goal in the opening match, are also expected to play an integral part of the offense this season. Alexia Des Croisselles, a Quebec native and Jacksonville State transfer, has also been involved with the offense early on registering a key goal in the Columbia victory.
The defense has veteran leadership from graduate students Gabriella Marte and Olivia Pearse, a former standout at Seaford High School. Sasha McTiffin and Emma Johnson also bring plenty of experience in the backline.
Pearse, who missed most of last season with an injury, has also displayed offensive ability this season on set pieces with two goals including the tying tally against St. Joe’s.
“She's a tremendous athlete,” Riddiough said. “She brings a lot of physicality and is a huge threat on set piece situations.”
The depth of Hofstra’s defense was stung in the opening match when senior defender Ava Lanfredi went down with a high ankle sprain injury. The first-year starter from East Greenwich, R.I. is expected to miss a few weeks and Riddiough hopes she can return for when the heart of the CAA schedule commences.
Sophomore goalie Lilly Bailey has started in net this season after transferring from Morehead State where she recorded five shutouts as a freshman. Graduate student Carly Travers, a former URI and Eastport South Manor High School keeper, is a capable backup in net.
Hofstra will look to continue its solid start to the 2025 campaign with home matches this Thursday against Fairleigh Dickinson at 7 p.m. and Sept. 6 versus Loyola (Md.) at 1 p.m. The Pride conclude the non-league schedule on Sept. 14 at home against Dartmouth before hosting Elon in the CAA opener on Sept. 18.
The Pride was picked by CAA coaches to finish third in the conference’s north division behind defending champion Stony Brook and runner-up Monmouth. The top three finishers in the division, which also comprises Drexel, Northeastern and Towson, will qualify for the six-team CAA Tournament and a chance to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
“If we stay healthy I think we can make a really good push for it,” said Riddiough, who has guided Hofstra to nine NCAA tournaments and seven CAA titles in his two decades leading the sideline.
