(Hempstead, NY) - Stephanie Fazio had a goal and an assist, but Genna Kovar scored a career-high four goals for the Hofstra Pride as they defeated the Sacred Heart Pioneer field hockey team 7-2 Sunday afternoon.

The Pioneers jumped on the board first on a goal by Lindsay Kasten at the 7:44 mark.  Fazio assisted on Kasten's first goal of the season with a short pass inside the circle, which followed a penalty corner by Hannah Robinson six seconds before.

 
However, the Pride stormed back with three unanswered goals.  Diane Caldwell tied the game at the 9:12 mark, with Nancy Wagenbrenner assisting off a scramble in front of Kim Stow.  Krizia Layne gave Hofstra the lead for good on a goal at the 17:46 mark, with Wagenbrenner getting the helper.   Less then three minutes later, Genna Kovar made it 3-1 with an unassisted goal at the 20:34 mark.  

The Pioneers answered on Fazio's goal, with Dana Luhrs assisting at the 28:20 mark.  Fazio dribbled in and fired a shot over the shoulder of Hofstra goalkeeper Amanda Heyde.  That cut the deficit to 3-2, where it stood until the second half.  The Pride came back with four second-half goals, starting with Kovar's unassisted tally at the 39:11.  Dara Rachman converted Micaela Gallagher's pass across the circle at the 52:10 mark to make it 5-2.  Kovar added goals at the 55:59 mark and 63:43 mark to complete her four-goal day.

Stow made eight saves, with Hofstra outshooting Sacred Heart 23-11.  While the Pioneers scored both their goals in the first half, they actually generated more chances in the second half with nice shots.  However, Heyde and Kaitlyn De Turo combined to make seven saves in goal for the Pride, with De Turo stopping all five shots she faced.

The Pioneers are next in action when they host Fairfield Friday, September 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the field hockey home opener.

xxxxxxxx