Towson Field Hockey Dominates Hofstra 5-2 in Home Finale as Westerink and Thunnissen Score Twice
By Brian Hradsky
FINAL: Towson 5, Hofstra 2
TOWSON, Md. — The Towson University field hockey team delivered one of its strongest offensive performances of the 2026 season Friday, Oct. 30, defeating Hofstra University 5-2 in its final home and Coastal Athletic Association game at the TU Field Hockey Complex. The Tigers dominated possession and scoring opportunities, recording a season-high 37 shots while placing 27 attempts on goal. Anouk Westerink and Olivia Thunnissen each scored twice, while Delfina Larripa added another goal to power Towson to victory. The win improved the Tigers to 7-10 overall and 1-5 in CAA competition, while Hofstra dropped to 2-15 and 0-6 in conference play.
Towson controlled the contest from the opening minute, establishing a two-goal advantage during the first quarter and never allowing Hofstra to pull within one goal. The Tigers generated 13 penalty corners and consistently pressured the Pride’s defensive unit throughout the afternoon. Westerink recorded her second consecutive two-goal performance, while Thunnissen celebrated the first multi-goal game of her collegiate career. The victory also gave Towson three wins in its previous four games heading into its final regular-season matchup.
Towson Explodes Out of the Gate
The Tigers wasted little time establishing their offensive rhythm, scoring just 34 seconds into the opening quarter. Following a penalty corner, Towson’s initial shot was stopped, but Westerink collected the rebound and sent it into the cage for an immediate 1-0 advantage. The early goal rewarded Towson’s aggressive approach and forced Hofstra to defend against sustained pressure. The Tigers attempted nine unanswered shots during the first six minutes, demonstrating their determination to control the game from the opening whistle.
Towson doubled its advantage at the 6:15 mark when Larripa capitalized on another penalty-corner opportunity. After the initial attempt popped into the air, Larripa positioned herself to finish the play and extend the lead to 2-0. The goal marked her sixth of the season, moving her into a tie with Westerink for the team lead. Towson maintained its two-goal advantage through the remainder of the opening quarter, putting Hofstra in an early deficit.
The Tigers’ offensive execution highlighted their ability to create scoring opportunities through set plays and second-chance attempts. Both first-quarter goals developed from penalty corners, demonstrating Towson’s effectiveness around the cage. The early advantage allowed the Tigers to dictate the tempo and force Hofstra into a more aggressive offensive approach. Towson’s opening-quarter performance established the foundation for its eventual three-goal victory.
Olivia Thunnissen Extends Towson’s Advantage
Hofstra opened the second quarter with renewed offensive pressure, creating opportunities that required Towson goalkeeper Riley Redding to make two early saves. Redding responded to both attempts and preserved the Tigers’ two-goal advantage. Her ability to handle the early pressure prevented the Pride from gaining momentum. Towson quickly regained control and began generating additional scoring chances.
Thunnissen delivered one of the game’s most impressive individual plays midway through the second quarter. Starting near midfield, she carried the ball toward Hofstra’s shooting circle before sending a pass that deflected back into her path. Thunnissen reacted quickly and directed a shot into the bottom corner of the cage, extending Towson’s lead to 3-0 at the 25:57 mark. The unassisted goal gave the Tigers a commanding advantage and continued their impressive offensive production.
Hofstra finally broke through in the closing seconds of the first half when Cara Zapach scored off a penalty corner. Kesia Richardson assisted on the goal at 29:49, reducing Towson’s advantage to 3-1 entering halftime. Although the Pride managed to get on the scoreboard, Towson maintained control through its superior shot production and offensive pressure. The Tigers entered the second half with an opportunity to finish their home conference schedule on a positive note.
Westerink Strikes Again in Third Quarter
The third quarter began with both teams struggling to generate the same offensive rhythm displayed during the opening half. Towson continued looking for opportunities to extend its lead, while Hofstra attempted to close the two-goal deficit. The action intensified during the final five minutes of the period as both teams created dangerous scoring opportunities. Towson ultimately capitalized on another rebound to restore its three-goal advantage.
One of the quarter’s most dramatic moments occurred when Towson launched a counterattack following a Hofstra penalty corner. Gianna Tripodi broke free and fired a shot that beat the Pride goalkeeper, but a Hofstra defender stopped the ball at the goal line. The defensive play temporarily prevented Towson from adding another goal. However, the Tigers continued pressing forward and eventually broke through again.
Westerink scored her second goal of the afternoon at the 42:49 mark after receiving a ball inside the Hofstra shooting circle. Her initial attempt was saved, but she remained composed and converted the rebound to give Towson a 4-1 lead. The goal marked Westerink’s sixth of the season and her fourth across two consecutive games. Towson carried the three-goal advantage into the final quarter, putting the Tigers in excellent position to secure the victory.
Thunnissen Seals Victory in Final Quarter
Hofstra attempted to mount a late comeback when Tess Satterfield scored at the 48:32 mark, reducing Towson’s advantage to 4-2. The goal gave the Pride a brief opportunity to build momentum during the final quarter. However, Towson responded almost immediately with another offensive sequence that ended any realistic hopes of a comeback. The Tigers demonstrated the same determination that had fueled their impressive opening-quarter performance.
Thunnissen delivered the decisive response at 50:54, scoring her second goal of the afternoon following another penalty-corner opportunity. The initial shot deflected off multiple sticks before Thunnissen collected the loose ball and finished the play. Her goal restored Towson’s three-goal advantage and established the final 5-2 score. The performance marked the first two-goal game of Thunnissen’s collegiate career and highlighted her growing offensive contributions.
Towson maintained its advantage through the closing minutes, completing an impressive home finale against its conference opponent. The Tigers’ five goals represented their second-highest scoring output of the season, trailing only their six-goal performance against UC Davis on Oct. 25. The victory also continued an encouraging late-season stretch for a program seeking to build momentum. Towson finished its home schedule with a convincing offensive performance that provided several individual milestones.
Towson Dominates Statistical Battle
The final statistics demonstrated Towson’s overwhelming offensive advantage throughout the contest. The Tigers outshot Hofstra 37-10 and placed 27 shots on goal compared with seven for the Pride. Towson also generated 13 penalty corners against Hofstra’s nine, consistently creating opportunities from dangerous positions. The 37 shots established a season high for the Tigers and illustrated the effectiveness of their attacking approach.
| Category | Towson | Hofstra |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 5 | 2 |
| Shots | 37 | 10 |
| Shots on goal | 27 | 7 |
| Penalty corners | 13 | 9 |
| Saves | 4 | 21 |
Redding earned her sixth victory of the season in goal, recording four saves during the contest. Hofstra goalkeeper Luci Hollister made 13 saves but received the loss as Towson consistently challenged the Pride’s defensive unit. The team statistics credited Hofstra with 21 total saves, including defensive stops. Towson’s ability to generate 27 shots on goal kept Hofstra under constant pressure and ultimately proved too difficult for the Pride to overcome.
Westerink and Larripa Lead Towson’s Scoring Attack
Westerink’s performance continued an outstanding stretch of offensive production during the closing weeks of the regular season. The two-goal outing marked her second consecutive multi-goal performance, the first time she accomplished that feat in her collegiate career. Her six goals tied Larripa for the Towson team lead following Friday’s victory. The two-time First-Team All-CAA selection also continued demonstrating the offensive abilities that have made her one of Towson’s most important contributors.
Larripa’s first-quarter goal provided another important contribution to Towson’s offensive success. Her sixth goal of the season reflected her ability to capitalize on opportunities inside the scoring circle. Together, Westerink and Larripa accounted for three of Towson’s five goals against Hofstra. Their production helped establish a commanding advantage that the Tigers maintained throughout the afternoon.
Thunnissen also emerged as one of the game’s biggest offensive contributors with her first collegiate multi-goal performance. Her first goal showcased her ability to create opportunities through individual ball movement and quick reactions. Her second demonstrated the importance of positioning and persistence around the opposing cage. The performance added another scoring threat to a Towson attack that has shown considerable improvement during its recent games.
Tigers Find Momentum During Final Stretch
Towson’s victory over Hofstra continued a strong stretch that included three wins in four games. The Tigers outscored their opponents 14-2 across those three victories, demonstrating a significant improvement in offensive execution and defensive effectiveness. The recent performances provided encouraging signs after a challenging conference campaign. Although Towson finished CAA competition with a 1-5 record, its late-season improvement offered reasons for optimism.
The Tigers entered the Hofstra matchup following a dominant 6-0 victory over UC Davis on Oct. 25. That performance represented Towson’s highest single-game scoring output since 2009 and included a career-high five points from Westerink. Senior honorees Lydia Bennett and Skylar Santucci also contributed goals during the victory, while Redding recorded her third shutout of the season. Towson followed that performance with another five-goal showing against Hofstra, demonstrating that its recent offensive success was not an isolated occurrence.
The victory also carried additional significance because it occurred during Towson’s homecoming and alumni appreciation game. Former Tigers received an invitation to return to the TU Field Hockey Complex and support the current program. The team rewarded its home supporters with an energetic offensive performance and a decisive conference victory. Ending the home schedule with five goals provided a memorable conclusion to Towson’s 2026 home campaign.
MSB Take: Towson’s Late-Season Surge Provides Encouragement
Towson’s 5-2 victory over Hofstra represented much more than a routine conference win. The Tigers demonstrated the offensive creativity, persistence and execution that can make them a difficult opponent when their attack operates effectively. Generating 37 shots and 27 attempts on goal is an impressive accomplishment at the Division I level, regardless of the opposition. The performance showed what Towson can accomplish when it controls possession and consistently creates scoring opportunities.
Westerink’s recent production deserves particular recognition because she has become a driving force behind Towson’s late-season offensive improvement. Her ability to score on rebounds and maintain pressure around the cage makes her especially dangerous during extended offensive possessions. Larripa’s consistent scoring contributions provide another important element of the attack. Meanwhile, Thunnissen’s breakout performance against Hofstra suggests the Tigers have additional offensive potential to develop.
The most encouraging aspect of Towson’s recent stretch is the team’s ability to convert opportunities into goals. Earlier struggles did not prevent the Tigers from finding a productive offensive rhythm as the regular season approached its conclusion. Scoring 11 goals across consecutive victories over UC Davis and Hofstra demonstrated a level of attacking efficiency that the program can build upon. Maintaining that production against stronger competition will be an important challenge moving forward.
Towson’s conference record remains a reminder that the program has substantial work ahead before it can consistently challenge the CAA’s leading teams. However, the Tigers’ recent results provide evidence that the team possesses players capable of making a difference offensively. Developing greater consistency, strengthening defensive execution and continuing to create high-quality scoring opportunities should remain priorities. The program can use these late-season performances as a foundation for future improvement.
The Tigers were scheduled to conclude their 2026 regular season Saturday, Oct. 31, with a road matchup against Delaware. Regardless of that final result, Towson’s home finale offered a positive moment for the players, coaches and supporters who followed the team throughout the fall. Westerink and Thunnissen delivered standout performances, while the entire offense contributed to one of the Tigers’ most productive games of the season. Towson’s 5-2 victory over Hofstra demonstrated the team’s resilience and provided an encouraging conclusion to its home and conference schedule.
