Hofstra women’s lacrosse senior captain Alyssa Parrella ranks first all-time in goals and points. She ranks fourth all-time in assists, seventh in draw controls and second all-time in Colonial Athletic Association history in goals and points.

The midfielder who wears #7 for the Pride is considered the best women’s lacrosse player in program history and she is not done yet.

Parrella has announced she will be returning to play another season in 2021. The announcement came during the COVID-19 pandemic that cancelled all spring sports activities across the U.S. this year.

“I remember finding out that our season would be cancelled at the Boston College game this year,” Parrella said. “I immediately got emotional looking around at the seniors like Darcie Smith and Alexa Mattera.”

“We could not believe it. It was already sad enough to lose a close game, but to then find out that your last season as a member of the Hofstra Pride is over, was heartbreaking.”

The decision to come back and play for the Pride once again was not an easy one for Parrella. She was the last of the seniors to announce her choice.

“I saw that [Smith] and [Mattera] had their decisions quickly made,” Parrella said. “For me, I knew I wanted to come back and play lacrosse but the reality of the decision is to make sure that my choice will truly benefit me and my future outside of college lacrosse.”

“After talking it over with my parents and coaches, I determined that it would be [in] my best interest to continue playing but to also continue my schooling at Hofstra University as well. A positive for me to take out of this whole situation is it gives me a whole year to narrow down what it is that I want to do after I graduate college and pursue a career.”

She will be returning to play alongside Smith, her teammate and best friend. When the 2021 spring sports season kicks off, these two will have a chance to create more memories once again.

“[Smith] and I actually had the same exact class schedule our freshman year of college,” Parrella said. “We really did not leave each other’s side … I couldn’t ask for a better friend or person to be with and to share memories with during our time at Hofstra.”

“We really balance each other out so well, on and off the field. We rarely fight, but we are always honest with the other and I think that helps to make us better almost every single day. Without her I don’t even know what I would be doing right now, and to now have an opportunity to play another year alongside my best friend is truly special to me and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

As for Parrella individually, her statistics over the last four years playing for the Pride are some of the best the program has ever seen. She will go down as arguably the best player to ever play for the Hofstra Pride woman’s lacrosse team, but it is her preparation and commitment to making a name for herself that has gotten her to this point.

“I have always tried to be the best player I could be,” Parrella said. “Growing up the youngest of a family of three, all throughout high school I heard, ‘Oh, you’re her little sister.’ Although I appreciated being recognized as that because I love my siblings so much, I wanted to come to Hofstra University and be able to make a name for myself.”

“Looking back on it now, in my final years, all of the work that I have put in has paid off for me. I also know that I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for our incredible head coach Shannon Smith. She has guided me and brought me under her wing from the start. It is amazing how she is able to turn players like myself into unbelievable athletes. She has pushed me so much and I am really thankful for her.”

Playing at the top of her game as much as she can, Parrella puts a lot of pressure on herself to succeed. Whether that means scoring the goal, winning the game or trying to have a successful season overall, she is faced with an internal battle of meeting the high standards she sets for herself throughout the season.

“I am someone who has put the pressure on myself, even before getting to college, I have transformed so much from who I was my freshman year,” Parrella said. “I used to be nervous to step on the field. I still get nervous now, but I am confident in myself and my abilities to succeed. The last four years have molded me into a better player and a captain for this team.”

One of the biggest things that has changed for Parrella throughout her time at Hofstra has been her confidence. She knows that the pressure to be the best she can is there, but her support system allows her to stay focused and achieve her goals.

“[Smith] has always been there for me to give me support, and all my teammates have been there for me, believing in me, and they are the ones that really help me to believe in myself,” Parrella said. “Also, I think that the preparation that gets put into a practice, or even for a test in school, [is] what makes the difference. The more work you put in, the more confidence you will have to go out and do what you want to.”

A new group of freshmen will be joining the team next spring, and they have the unique opportunity to learn from Parrella and Smith.

“I am really excited for it,” Parrella said. “I know some of the girls coming up and they are such incredible athletes already. It will be weird for me to think about how some of them will be 18 years old and I’m 22 playing with them, but at the same time I remember being a freshman and learning so much from my older teammates. That is how I want to provide to the younger class coming up before I leave as well.”

After she hangs up her cleats one final time for the Pride next season, she does not want to be remembered for all of the accolades she earned. For Parrella, the legacy she values most is about being the best leader and teammate she could be.

“When it is all over, I just want my teammates to remember me as the person who gave it 110% no matter what,” Parrella said. “I cared about this team so much and I hope they know that.”

“Although the awards and accolades are rewarding and nice to have, at the end of the day what matters most to me is giving my all to my teammates, coaches and to the game of lacrosse. That is the legacy I want to leave at Hofstra.”

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics