Senior forward Brit Blankmeyer (Convent Station, NJ) added her fifth goal of the season, but it wasn't enough as the Pride fell to Drexel, 5-1, in its CAA opener Sunday afternoon at Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium.

Christina Mastropaolo netted a hat trick and Susan Ciufo and Ashley Santee added goals for the Dragons, who improved to 8-2 and 1-0 against the conference. Goalkeeper Amanda Heyde logged seven saves in 61:46 for the Pride. Hofstra saw its four game losing streak end, dropping to 6-2 (0-1).

Blankmeyer erased a 1-0 deficit late in the first half, finishing a nice individual effort from freshman Genna Kovar (Hampton Bays, NY) to tie it with 2:04 remaining in the period. It marked Kovar's second assist of the season.

But Mastropaolo scored the next three goals in a 17:17 span after halftime, part of four unanswered Drexel goals. Mastropaolo's first tally came at the 43:30 mark off a rebound attempt. The sophomore forward added her second nearly 15 minutes later, converting Elizabeth Koch's feed into another score.

With the Pride defense pinching in to try and score a late goal, Mastropaolo completed the hat trick at the 60:47 mark, taking Amanda Kicera's pass and pushing a shot past Heyde. Santee finished the scoring 4:16 later.

Hofstra scored fewer than two goals for the first time all season. The Pride is now 4-1 at home this season. Freshman goalkeeper Meredith Golden (Louisville, KY) made her NCAA debut for the home team, stopping two of the three shots she faced in 8:14 of game time.

Hofstra will now hit the road for a two-game set against CAA opponents. The team will head to Virginia Commonwealth on Friday for a 3 p.m. game before taking on James Madison Sunday at 1 p.m. The Pride will return home to face conference rival Old Dominion on Oct. 10.

-30-