Hempstead, NY- Freshmen Jacquelyn Ardolino and Lauren Chandler scored hat tricks in their collegiate debuts while junior Stephanie Rice also added three goals as seven Pride players netted multiple goals to lift the Hofstra Women's Lacrosse team to a season-opening 21-3 victory over St. Mary's (CA) College on Saturday afternoon at James M. Shuart Stadium.

Ardolino (Shirley, NY) tallied the hat trick just 14:08 into her Hofstra career. The Pride scored the second-most goals in program history, falling just short of Hofstra's record set in a 23-5 win over Davidson in the 1996 season opener.

The Gaels (0-2) raced to an early lead on goals from Juliet Munroe and Mariah Walk. But Hofstra responded by going on a 19-0 run over a 38:20 stretch. The Pride built a 21-5 edge in draw controls and limited an opponent to three goals or fewer for the first time since beating Holy Cross, 17-2, in 2003.

Senior Sandy Wasserbach (Baltimore, MD) scored twice and picked up two ground balls off the bench.  Chandler's (Glenside, PA) three goals came on five shots as the Pride bench accounted for 10 goals. Senior Ashley Jones (Ellicott City, MD) contributed two goals and an assist and fellow starter Courtney O'Connor (Abington, PA) registered a three-point day with two goals and an assist.

Senior midfielder Corrine Gandolfi (Smithtown, NY) compiled two goals and two assists with four draw-controls and a game-high six shots.

Gandolfi, who scored 45 times in 2009, notched her 100th career goal and first of the season with 6:25 left in the first half. Gandolfi became just the 10th player in Hofstra history to reach that plateau and her milestone gave the Pride a commanding 12-2 lead.

The accomplishments were not limited to goals as Gandolfi's earlier assist on Jones' short-range goal 7:15 in was her 139th career point, moving her into the team's top-10 all-time list.

Freshman Jackie Pandolf (Holbrook, NY) made seven saves in picking up the win in her first career start. Senior Mary Cuddihy (Manhasset, NY) posted five saves on six shots against in playing the entire second half.

Junior Katie Hertsch (Westminster, MD) led the strong defensive charge for the Pride as she contributed three ground balls, three draw controls and two caused turnovers in the game.

Hofstra will look to sustain momentum when it hosts #8 Notre Dame Tuesday afternoon. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.