A six-goal third period lead the Hofstra Pride women’s lacrosse team to their first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) win of the season, 17-12, over the Elon Phoenix. The Pride improves to 4-10 on the season and 1-4 in conference play.
Coming into the third, Hofstra held a slim 7-6 lead. Less than a minute into the period, Rachel Graff scored to give the Pride a two-goal advantage. Elon scored to bring the game back to one, but luckily for the Pride, Graff grabbed another goal marking her 21st of the season. Megan Flannery, Katie Kelly, Taylor Mennella, and Lauren Coletti netted the final four goals of the period. Elon got another back, but the Pride led going into the fourth period 13-10.
To secure the win, Hofstra outscored the Phoenix 4-2 in the final period. Graff scored once again, completing a hat trick in the second half of the game. Kate Fiola scored after Graff and Mennella each had a shot saved by Elon’s goalie Caitlin Walsh. Elon’s Hannah McCarthy and Cierra Hopson each scored one to bring the Phoenix within three, but that didn’t last long as the Pride finished with two more goals of their own from Coletti and Graff to grab the 17-12 win.
The first half showed a closer matchup between the teams before Hofstra made their second-half push. Elon scored the opening goal in the first period, courtesy of Hopson. Flannery tied it up at one with a goal off of a free-position shot. Hopson scored a second for the Phoenix, but the Pride found their footing with goals from Coletti and Mennella to take the 3-2 lead. Flannery closed out the period with another goal from a free-position shot to give Hofstra a 4-3 lead heading into the second period.
Kerry Walser picked up the scoring for the Pride as she scored her 23rd of the season to give Hofstra a two-goal lead. Elon still had their heads in the game as Catherine Merritt scored their fourth goal. Kelly scored the sixth for the Pride, but the Phoenix were able to score again. Flannery got a yellow card resulting in Elon playing a man up and netting another goal, tying the game at six. Mennella had the final say in the period as she scored her 25th of the season off of a free-position shot to give the Pride the 7-6 lead.
Luchianna Cardello started for the ninth game in a row. The freshman made nine saves to continue her dominant play in the cage.
Graff finished the game with four goals leading the team. Coletti, Flannery and Mennella scored hattricks, and Kelly scored twice.
The Pride returns to the field on Saturday, April 22, to face the Drexel University Dragons in a CAA matchup at James M. Shuart Stadium. Draw control is scheduled for noon.
Photo courtesy of Monmouth Athletics
