The Hofstra University women’s lacrosse team dominated in a 14-8 win over Marist University on Thursday, Feb. 26. Once again, Nikki Mennella led the way for the Pride with a commanding six-goal, eight-point performance.
As Hofstra head coach Shannon Smith wished following their previous game, the Pride cleaned up in the discipline department, receiving only one penalty card compared to last game’s 11. Hofstra was successful in the man-down situation, killing off the one penalty card they faced.
Aside from penalty cards, Hofstra won just about every facet of the game. The Pride led in shots, shots on goal, ground balls, draw controls and free position shots. Senior attacker Madeleine Rudolph recorded a career-high 10 draw controls, helping Hofstra go 19-5 against Marist in draws.
The Pride took some time to heat up their offense, only scoring one goal in the first quarter. Julia Harris scored Hofstra’s opening goal to tie the game at one a piece while a man down just over four minutes into the game.
In the second quarter, the Red Foxes made the unfortunate mistake of waking the beast that is Mennella. To take the 2-1 lead, she scored her first of the game one minute and 30 seconds into the quarter.
Marist did not give up as they were able to respond with two consecutive goals to regain the 3-2 lead. However, Mennella completed the hat trick before half, giving the Pride the 4-3 lead heading into the break. This was Mennella’s third hat trick in just five games to open the season.
Red Fox goalkeeper Megan Morris stood on her head throughout the first half, stopping eight of 12 shots on goal. Morris’ performance helped keep Marist in the game up until half.
Although Morris was putting on an inspiring performance, the Red Foxes could not keep the floodgates closed. The Pride’s offense exploded in the third quarter, doubling their goal total in the quarter alone, leading 8-5 after three.
Kristen Redding grabbed two goals in the third quarter, with one coming from a man-up situation. Mennella supplied her fourth goal of the game, while Kayleigh Bender got involved with her lone goal of the matchup.
The final frame saw another offensive burst from Hofstra with six goals coming from three different goalscorers. Marist saw their offense turn up as well with three goals of their own, but they simply could not keep up, losing the game 14-8.
Mennella grabbed two goals in the fourth to complete a double hat trick, while Kate Lemery scored her lone goal of the game. Freshman Shannon Steck shined in the fourth quarter, scoring three goals within the frame for the hat trick. Steck’s hat trick was the first of her collegiate career.
The Pride wrapped up an away slate of games on Saturday, Feb. 28, in Piscataway, New Jersey, with a matchup against No. 18 Rutgers University. Hofstra is 4-12 all-time against the Scarlet Knights, falling to them last season 11-8.
