The Hofstra University women’s lacrosse team dropped their midweek matchup to the No. 3 ranked University of Maryland 16-9 at Captains Field. Hofstra dropped to 3-4 and are below .500 for the first time since 2024. The Terps remain undefeated, improving to 6-0.
The Terrapins jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the opening 18 minutes and never looked back. Maryland’s offense was led by junior Lauren Lapointe’s four goals and four assists. Her eight-point afternoon was a career high. Tewaaraton Award nominee Kori Edmondson had four goals and two assists to continue her strong campaign.
Hofstra had five players score three points. Freshman Shannon Steck recorded her second hat trick in the last three games, now with 10 goals this season. The four other players had two goals and an assist.
The Pride hung tough against Maryland despite the 7-1 score early in the second quarter. They were both even in draw controls, ground balls and turnovers.
“Maryland’s a really great lacrosse team,” said Hofstra head coach Shannon Smith. “I thought we played hard and [Luchianna Cardello] kept us in it in the second half.”
Both teams’ goalies had a strong performance. Cardello tied a season-high 12 saves against Maryland, while JJ Suriano made nine.
The Pride outshot Maryland in the first half 24-20 but the Terrapins made life difficult for the Hofstra attackers, forcing Hofstra to miss the net 13 times.
“In the second half we were able to get more hands-free shots. Natalie DeMeo, Madeleine Rudolph and Nikki Mennella were able to assert their dominance in the draw circle and steal back some possessions for us,” Smith said.
Hofstra had two separate three-goal scoring runs, where they stole momentum away from Maryland. Following the Terps going up 7-1, Charli Joyce, DeMeo and Steck brought Maryland’s lead back to 7-4 in the second quarter. The Pride held Maryland scoreless over the final 11 minutes and closed the game on a three-goal run from DeMeo, Steck and Mennella.
Hofstra’s second-leading scorer, Kayleigh Bender did not play for the second consecutive game, giving other players more time. Rudolph played in the midfield for the first time this season. Rudolph played midfield in 15 games last season but has typically only been on the draw control unit this season.
“We’re just trying to figure out what are the right pieces to our offense to build that chemistry,” Smith said. “[Rudolph] had done well on the scout team and earned her time. We’re just trying to put together different pieces of the puzzle to see what works, especially with conference play coming up.”
The Pride was back at home on Saturday, March 7, against Wagner College at 11 a.m.
“It’s important to play against really tough competition because it helps us get ready for conference play,” Smith said. “It’s really important because our conference is so tough. Playing against teams, against Rutgers [University] and Maryland, will only get us better prepared for then.”
Following Wagner, Hofstra opens their Coastal Athletic Association slate at home against Elon University on Saturday, March 14.
