Hofstra women's soccer to have challenging 2010 schedule

The Hofstra women's soccer team's 2010 schedule has been released and the Pride will be greatly challenged its non-conference slate.

Hofstra will kick off the 2010 campaign on August 27 at Boston College, which finished last season ranked seventh in the nation. The early non-conference schedule is also highlighted by road contests at Big Ten powers Purdue and Indiana and a home game on Sept. 5 against Fordham, who fell in the Atlantic 10 championship last season.

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.

Well-traveled Egypt native finds home with Hofstra women’s soccer

Picture courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications

Hofstra women’s soccer junior forward Salma Tarik has moved around plenty in her life from Egypt to East Meadow, out west to California and back east to Bellmore. Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough is sure happy she has decided to make Hofstra the home for her women’s soccer career as the transfer from Cal State Northbridge has been the Pride’s leading scorer since returning to Long Island.

Entering 2009 Coach Riddiough knew he had a solid defensive foundation but was concerned if there would be enough offense. The Cairo, Egypt native has certainly helped provide that with nine goals and four assists, which has has helped pace Hofstra (9-4-2, 6-1-1) into first place during the Colonial Athletic Association’s home stretch of the season with three games remaining.

After not starting right away her first season at Hofstra, Tarik took it upon herself to work extra hard in the summer playing with the Los Angeles Legends of the W-League. “If I didn’t play in that league or train on my own this year would be a lot different,” said Tarik, who ended up leading the Pride in scoring with six goals last year despite being on the bench to start the season.

When Tarik arrived at Hofstra last year she re-united with childhood friend and Pride forward Courtney Breen, who she competed against in youth soccer for the East Meadow Dynamite. The two former East Meadow youth players teamed up to both tally goals in Hofstra’s 2-1 win at Princeton on Sept. 4.