Long Island Lady Riders feature heavy Hofstra women's soccer contingent

The Hofstra women’s soccer team is getting a major lift in its preparation for the 2010 season thanks to four Pride players currently competing with the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL W-League.

The Hofstra players earning some valuable experience playing for the team that commonly uses the nickname Lady Riders include forwards Salma Tarik and Laura Greene as well as midfielders Tiffany Yovino and Danielle Murino. The Lady Riders, which competes in a league recognized as North America’s main women’s developmental organization, also feature numerous former Hofstra players including goalie Rebecca Wachsberger, defender Sue Weber as well as forwards Brooke DeRosa and Janine Cappello-Bielia.

With the Lady Riders boasting a number of former college stars in addition to players who have competed in the WPS such as Weber, who played with the Boston Breakers last year, earning playing time is very competitive. “Us playing on that team is just going to get ourselves more seasoned because we all have to fight for a spot, said Tarik, who earned First team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors after leading Hofstra with 10 goals as a junior last year. “It is so challenging at practice to get that starting spot.”

Hofstra women’s soccer head coach Simon Riddiough said playing for a team like the Lady Riders can be extremely beneficial toward preparing for the collegiate season that kicks off on August 27 at Boston College. “A lot of [players] strive in that kind of environment where they are playing all summer and they come into pre-season all sharp and ready to go,” said Riddiough.

The Lady Riders are currently 3-3 with current or former Hofstra players combing for nearly half of the team’s seven total goals including two by DeRosa and one from Murino. The Lady Riders’ next home game will be on Saturday June 19 at Cy Donnelly Stadium in South Huntington starting at 5 p.m.