There are many successful teams on Hofstra University’s campus, but women’s lacrosse is one of the best. Headlined by star forward Alyssa Parrella, this squad has an abundance of hope for the upcoming season.

“Everyone’s main goal is to win the conference championship,” said head coach Shannon Smith. “But right now, our focus is taking it day by day and getting better.”

Picked second in the preseason Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Coaches Poll, the Pride will look to one-up this prediction and finish at the top of the conference. Last season created a foundation, one the Pride hopes to build upon this year.

“The mistakes we made are a learning experience,” Smith said. “We have that growth mindset going into next year.”

Parrella, who was named the CAA Preseason Player of the Year, will be an asset to the team, while team captain Alexa Mattera has big goals to improve upon a successful 2019 season.

“As a team captain, I will lead the team to where we need to be,” said Mattera. “In the preseason, I set the standards and expectations that we need to have for the entire year.”

If Parrella can give the Pride an encore, the team will be in good shape. She recorded 85 goals and 20 assists in 2019, earning Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association and Inside Lacrosse All-American honors. She was also voted the best player in the conference after taking the top spot on Hofstra’s all-time leaderboard for goals and points in a single season.

Mattera helped her star teammate, providing many intangibles. She notched 39 goals and six assists for 45 points while contributing 68 draw controls, 30 ground balls and 19 forced turnovers. However, she is equally impactful for the team off the field. “My most important role is making sure the team is playing to our highest capabilities,” Mattera said. “We all need to put 110% effort into this team.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Shannon Boyle started all 19 games and posted 34 ground balls, 19 draw controls and eight points. As an honor roll high school student, she brings experience and wit to Smith’s blue-line.

Finally, the youth movement is in full swing. The Pride will be counting on freshmen like Taylor Mennella to take on important roles.

“Our freshmen are great,” Mattera said. “They are all willing to learn, work hard and [put in] the extra effort for the team. They will have a big impact this season.”

Hofstra’s 2019 season ended too early at the conference tournament in Williamsburg, Virginia. The tenth-ranked James Madison University (JMU) Dukes scored nine consecutive goals in the first half to top the Pride 13-3 in the CAA Championship.

“James Madison played a really great game,” Smith said after the loss. “Hats off to them.”

JMU always gives the Pride trouble, something Hofstra will look to change this season. The Dukes are 3-1 against Hofstra in CAA title games, in part because of their ability to lock down their star opponents, including Parrella, who was held scoreless last year.

“Obviously, there were a lot of positives from last season,” Smith said. “It is not easy to make it to your conference championship game. It was a difficult loss. You never want to lose when you make it that far.”

In 2007, Hofstra defeated JMU to win the Pride’s only CAA championship in program history. They will look to repeat that this year.

“A huge positive is getting that experience of playing in the championship game,” Smith said. “You get to take that feeling of losing and use it to motivate you all offseason.”

Beating JMU is never easy, but the Pride strives to respect their opponents while focusing on the things they can control.

“I will let you know the week before we play JMU,” Smith said of preparation for a matchup against JMU. “Obviously, JMU has a lot of confidence and that is part of their team and part of their tradition. We have to understand that and worry about ourselves.”

All these factors make this season crucial for the Pride. The story was started last year, and now it must be finished. There is the villain, the new characters and the usual stars, but coming off a championship appearance, now more than ever this team has hope.

“I think this is a special team,” Mattera said. “We have everything that we need to win a championship this season.”

Image courtesy of Hofstra Athletics