The Hofstra University women’s lacrosse team opened their 2026 campaign on the road against Siena University on Friday, Feb. 6. The Pride opened the scoring but fell behind the Saints in the first quarter, leaving them in a hole they could not climb out of. They lost 10-6.
Nikki Mennella picked up the new season right where she left off, potting Hofstra’s first goal of the year. Mennella rolled to the inside of the defender and cut to the crease, putting the ball past the goalie just four minutes into the game. The redshirt junior later tacked on a second goal in the final minutes of the game.
The Pride and the Saints went on to trade a pair of goals a few minutes later, taking Hofstra’s lead to 2-1. Elizabeth Wamp scored first for Siena, while Kayleigh Bender responded for Hofstra just a minute and a half later.
The Pride controlled the game until there were just over three minutes left in the first quarter. Olivia Nicholson tied the contest at two for the Saints, and the tides turned in their favor. Siena used the momentum to score two more before the quarter ended, putting themselves ahead 4-2.
Hofstra took little-to-no time to respond in the second quarter, with Kate Lemery pulling the Pride within one. However, Siena maintained their composure and continued their push from late in the first quarter, moving their lead to 6-3.
Shannon Steck opened her college career with a goal, tallying Hofstra’s fourth halfway through the second frame. Steck dodged through two defenders and ripped the ball towards the net for the score.
The Saints once again had a response, scoring two goals in the final three minutes of the half, to take an 8-4 lead into the break. In the first half, Siena outshot Hofstra 15-11, with three more shots on goal than the Pride.
The game was played in favor of Hofstra in the second half as the Pride dominated their possessions, outshooting the Saints 11-5. Hofstra led in turnover margin, turning the ball over seven times compared to Siena’s 11. Despite Hofstra’s dominance, Saints goalie McAllister Salter managed to make five saves on seven shots on goal to keep Siena in the lead.
Both teams scored two goals in the second half, resulting in a 10-6 win for the Saints. The Pride’s goals in the second half were provided by freshman Charli Joyce and Mennella. Joyce scored while cutting across the front of the cage for her first collegiate goal. Meanwhile, Mennella scored using her spin move once again, which is proving to be dangerous already.
Bender and defender Evin Terzioglu were the two standouts for Hofstra in their season opener. Bender not only scored but tacked on an additional three assists to lead the team in points. On the defensive side of the field, Terzioglu scooped up three ground balls and tallied five of the Pride’s 11 caused turnovers.
While Hofstra dropped their season opener, they still proved that there is a lot to look forward to this season. Mennella looked great right from the jump, the freshmen are already scoring goals and Terzioglu is looking like a force to be reckoned with on the back end.
The Pride look to grab their first win of the year on Wednesday, Feb. 11, when they face off against Manhattan University at Captains Field. The last time the two schools faced, Hofstra won 18-5.
