On Saturday, April 1, the Hofstra University women’s lacrosse team lost its fifth straight game, and second in a row in overtime, against the Monmouth University Hawks, 17-16, at Kessler Stadium in West Long Branch, NJ. The loss drags Hofstra’s overall record down to 3-9 and 0-3 against the rest of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), as they now sit dead last in the conference standings.
Leading by a goal with a minute to play in the fourth quarter, Hofstra left the door open for Monmouth when sophomore Emily Weigand drew a yellow card, giving Monmouth a player-up advantage. With 12 seconds left to play, Shea Berigan scored the tying goal for the Hawks. Once in overtime, Cassidy Orban capitalized off a Hofstra turnover to score the winning goal.
What was even more disheartening about the loss was how Hofstra had clawed itself back into the game from an early deficit. Entering the fourth quarter down by three, goals from Taylor Mennella, Rachel Graff, Kerry Walser and Katie Kelly gave the Pride its first lead since the game’s opening quarter.
Hofstra made the late run possible by closing the five-goal lead Monmouth once held in the second quarter. Kelly netted two goals in the quarter, while Lauren Coletti scored her 12th of the season for the Pride off a free position shot. Walser and Mennella then tacked on two more, making it a 10-9 game heading into the half.
Graff tied the game at 10 early in the third quarter before Monmouth responded with scores from Berigan and Danielle McNeely. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Hawks held a 12-10 lead.
Freshman goalie Luchianna Cardello made her sixth straight start in goal for the Pride and kept Hofstra alive, saving six of the 23 shots she faced.
Kelly ended the day with a team-high five goals for the Pride. Graff added four goals to her season total (19), while Walser scored her second hat trick of the season.
The Pride returns to the field on Saturday, April 8, in another CAA matchup when they welcome the University of Delaware Blue Hens to James M. Shuart Stadium at noon.
Photo courtesy of Monmouth Athletics
