By Kevin Carroll — SPORTS EDITOR
Lindsay Scott would not be denied on Saturday afternoon, scoring six goals as the Hofstra women’s lacrosse team held off Columbia 11-9 at James M. Shuart Stadium.
“Huge win for our team,” said Hofstra head coach Shannon Smith after the game. “I thought it was a great team win on both sides of the ball.”
Four of Scott’s six goals came in the second half, where the Pride needed them most. After running out to a 4-0 lead early in the first half, the Lions rattled off five consecutive goals, taking a 5-4 lead and momentarily stunning the Pride.
Scott, who had opened the scoring for the Pride at the beginning of the half, had the answer heading into the break, beating the Columbia keeper with just under three minutes remaining to tie the game at five goals apiece heading into halftime.
Drew Shapiro added two goals for the Pride, and Morgan Knox, Becky Conto and Amanda Seekamp also scored for the Pride.
Seekamp’s goal, the first of the season for her, was an absolute rocket, beating the keeper up high on a free-position attempt in the first half.
“I think she’s [Seekamp] gaining more confidence,” said Smith. “We’re going to look to get her open as the season goes on.”
Maddie Fields made a career-high nine saves for the Pride, picking up the first win of her collegiate career in goal. Fields has split time in goal with junior Alexis Greene this year for Hofstra.
“Maddie played a huge game stepping in [goal] for us,” said Smith. “I was really proud of her play.”
While the first half was a half of runs from both teams, the second half was very tightly contested. After Scott scored her third goal of the game to put Hofstra in front 6-5 to start the second half, Columbia’s Lindsey Ewertsen answered by completing a hat trick of her own to tie it back up.
Ewertsen led the Lions with three goals, but she was unable to find the back of the net for much of the second half, as Hofstra’s defense was able to key in on her, keeping her from attacking the net down the stretch.
After Columbia tied the game at 9 with 17:07 left to play, Shapiro was able to put Hofstra in front for good with just over eleven minutes left, beating Kelsey Gedin to make it a 10-9 Hofstra lead. The goal was Shapiro’s second of the game, and 12th of the season.
“I challenged Drew, I was on her at halftime,” said Smith. “She really rose to the occasion and played well for us in the second half.”
Scott added a little bit of cushion with her 31st goal of the season to put the Pride up 11-9. After seizing control on the next draw control, the Pride slowly wound the clock down, the Columbia defenders powerless as Hofstra ran out the clock on Columbia, picking up a big win heading into CAA play.
The Pride improves to 2-7 on the season with the win, while Columbia falls to 5-6.
Hofstra will return to action Friday, April 6 to take on William and Mary in the conference opener for both teams. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Martin Family Stadium in Williamsburg.
