Syracuse opened its season with a victory, defeating Hofstra 3-2 at the Penn State Invitational on Friday in University Park, Pa.

Friday’s contest marked the first ever meeting between SU (1-0) and Hofstra (0-1).

The Orange got on the board first less than five minutes into the game. Junior midfielder Alexis Koval beat Hofstra goalkeeper Emily Morphitis high with a straight on shot from 12 yards away, 4:25 into the first half. It was the only goal either team would score in the half.

Hofstra came surging back in the second period. Junior defender Caylin Dudley got the Pride on the board by beating SU goalkeeper Brittany Anghel off of a rebound on a free kick in the 59th minute. Hofstra scored again in the 67th minute to take a 2-1 advantage when Leah Galton delivered a long pass to Sam Scolarici, who beat Anghel with a shot toward the left post.

With its eyes on a comeback, Syracuse evened the score in the 70th minute when forward Erin Simon assisted a pass to midfielder Maddie Damm, who scored her first career goal beating the goalie from 12 yards out.

Freshman forward Stephanie Skilton scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute of her debut by beating Friederike Mehring one-on-one to give Syracuse its second consecutive season-opening victory.

The Pride outshot Syracuse 7-6, but Anghel finished with two saves for the Orange.

Syracuse will return to action on Sunday, Aug. 25 when it takes on West Virginia on the final day of the Penn State Invitational.

Published on August 23, 2013 at 8:45 pm